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ISSC vs HEI
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Aerospace & Defense
ISSC vs HEI — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Aerospace & Defense |
| Market Cap | $380M | $24.63B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $90M | $4.63B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $19M | $713M |
| Gross Margin | 50.8% | 30.4% |
| Operating Margin | 27.8% | 22.8% |
| Forward P/E | 27.1x | 52.1x |
| Total Debt | $24M | $2.19B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $3M | $218M |
ISSC vs HEI — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Innovative Solution… (ISSC) | 100 | 440.0 | +340.0% |
| HEICO Corporation (HEI) | 100 | 290.3 | +190.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: ISSC vs HEI
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
ISSC carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and sleep-well-at-night.
- Rev growth 78.6%, EPS growth 120.0%, 3Y rev CAGR 44.8%
- Lower volatility, beta 2.36, Low D/E 37.4%, current ratio 3.04x
- PEG 0.76 vs HEI's 3.17
HEI is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 10 yrs, beta 1.10, yield 0.1%
- 8.3% 10Y total return vs ISSC's 7.1%
- Beta 1.10, yield 0.1%, current ratio 2.83x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 78.6% revenue growth vs HEI's 16.3% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (27.1x vs 52.1x), PEG 0.76 vs 3.17 | |
| Quality / Margins | 21.0% margin vs HEI's 15.4% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.10 vs ISSC's 2.36 | |
| Dividends | 0.1% yield; 10-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +205.6% vs HEI's +9.2% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 17.2% ROA vs HEI's 7.9%, ROIC 18.8% vs 12.6% |
ISSC vs HEI — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
ISSC vs HEI — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ISSC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
HEI is the larger business by revenue, generating $4.6B annually — 51.4x ISSC's $90M. ISSC is the more profitable business, keeping 21.0% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to HEI's 15.4%. On growth, ISSC holds the edge at +36.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $90M | $4.6B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $27M | $1.2B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $19M | $713M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $12M | $841M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +50.8% | +30.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +27.8% | +22.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +21.0% | +15.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +13.6% | +18.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +36.6% | +14.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +4.3% | +12.5% |
Valuation Metrics
ISSC leads this category, winning 6 of 7 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 24.3x trailing earnings, ISSC trades at a 59% valuation discount to HEI's 59.7x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), ISSC offers better value at 0.68x vs HEI's 3.63x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $380M | $24.6B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $401M | $26.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 24.27x | 59.70x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 27.12x | 52.11x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.68x | 3.63x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 16.85x | 21.90x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 4.50x | 5.49x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 5.89x | 9.40x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 55.92x | 28.59x |
Profitability & Efficiency
ISSC leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ISSC delivers a 27.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $28 in annual profit, vs $13 for HEI. ISSC carries lower financial leverage with a 0.37x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to HEI's 0.50x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), HEI scores 6/9 vs ISSC's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +27.6% | +12.9% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +17.2% | +7.9% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +18.8% | +12.6% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +24.6% | +14.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.37x | 0.50x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $21M | $2.0B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $3M | $218M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $24M | $2.2B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 25.35x | 8.32x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
ISSC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in ISSC five years ago would be worth $35,220 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $21,104 for HEI. Over the past 12 months, ISSC leads with a +205.6% total return vs HEI's +9.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ISSC at 48.4% vs HEI's 20.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +13.9% | -11.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +205.6% | +9.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +227.1% | +73.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +252.2% | +111.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +712.7% | +832.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +48.4% | +20.2% |
Risk & Volatility
HEI leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
HEI is the less volatile stock with a 1.10 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than ISSC's 2.36 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. HEI currently trades 80.9% from its 52-week high vs ISSC's 69.0% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.36x | 1.10x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $30.94 | $361.69 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $6.82 | $256.11 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +69.0% | +80.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 45.6 | 55.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 611K | 659K |
Analyst Outlook
HEI leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates ISSC as "Buy" and HEI as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 26.8% upside for HEI (target: $371) vs 7.7% for ISSC (target: $23).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $23.00 | $371.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 2 | 34 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +0.1% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 10 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.23 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +0.1% |
ISSC leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). HEI leads in 2 (Risk & Volatility, Analyst Outlook).
ISSC vs HEI: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ISSC or HEI a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc.
(ISSC) is the stronger pick with 78. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 16. 3% for HEICO Corporation (HEI). Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc. (ISSC) offers the better valuation at 24. 3x trailing P/E (27. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc. (ISSC) a "Buy" — based on 2 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — ISSC or HEI?
On trailing P/E, Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc.
(ISSC) is the cheapest at 24. 3x versus HEICO Corporation at 59. 7x. On forward P/E, Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc. is actually cheaper at 27. 1x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc. wins at 0. 76x versus HEICO Corporation's 3. 17x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — ISSC or HEI?
Over the past 5 years, Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc.
(ISSC) delivered a total return of +252. 2%, compared to +111. 0% for HEICO Corporation (HEI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: HEI returned +832. 4% versus ISSC's +712. 7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — ISSC or HEI?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), HEICO Corporation (HEI) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
10β versus Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc. 's 2. 36β — meaning ISSC is approximately 114% more volatile than HEI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc. (ISSC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 37% versus 50% for HEICO Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — ISSC or HEI?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc.
(ISSC) is pulling ahead at 78. 6% versus 16. 3% for HEICO Corporation (HEI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc. grew EPS 120. 0% year-over-year, compared to 33. 5% for HEICO Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, ISSC leads at 44. 8% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — ISSC or HEI?
Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc.
(ISSC) is the more profitable company, earning 18. 5% net margin versus 15. 4% for HEICO Corporation — meaning it keeps 18. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ISSC leads at 23. 8% versus 22. 7% for HEI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ISSC leads at 48. 1%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is ISSC or HEI more undervalued right now?
The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.
By this metric, Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc. (ISSC) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 76x versus HEICO Corporation's 3. 17x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc. (ISSC) trades at 27. 1x forward P/E versus 52. 1x for HEICO Corporation — 25. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for HEI: 26. 8% to $371. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — ISSC or HEI?
None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.
All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.
09Is ISSC or HEI better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, HEICO Corporation (HEI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.
10), +832. 4% 10Y return). Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc. (ISSC) carries a higher beta of 2. 36 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (HEI: +832. 4%, ISSC: +712. 7%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between ISSC and HEI?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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