Aerospace & Defense
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ISSC vs TDG
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Aerospace & Defense
ISSC vs TDG — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Aerospace & Defense |
| Market Cap | $372M | $70.14B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $90M | $9.11B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $19M | $1.97B |
| Gross Margin | 50.8% | 59.0% |
| Operating Margin | 27.8% | 46.5% |
| Forward P/E | 26.6x | 32.0x |
| Total Debt | $24M | $30.03B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $3M | $2.81B |
ISSC vs TDG — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Innovative Solution… (ISSC) | 100 | 430.7 | +330.7% |
| TransDigm Group Inc… (TDG) | 100 | 292.4 | +192.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: ISSC vs TDG
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 long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 78.6%, EPS growth 120.0%, 3Y rev CAGR 44.8%
- 7.0% 10Y total return vs TDG's 6.0%
- PEG 0.74 vs TDG's 1.03
TDG is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 0.79, yield 13.3%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.79, current ratio 3.21x
- Beta 0.79, yield 13.3%, current ratio 3.21x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 78.6% revenue growth vs TDG's 11.2% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (26.6x vs 32.0x), PEG 0.74 vs 1.03 | |
| Quality / Margins | 21.6% margin vs ISSC's 21.0% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.79 vs ISSC's 2.34 | |
| Dividends | 13.3% yield; 2-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +212.1% vs TDG's -3.7% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 17.2% ROA vs TDG's 8.6%, ROIC 18.8% vs 20.9% |
ISSC vs TDG — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
ISSC vs TDG — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
TDG leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
TDG is the larger business by revenue, generating $9.1B annually — 101.1x ISSC's $90M. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 21.6% (TDG) to 21.0% (ISSC). On growth, ISSC holds the edge at +36.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $90M | $9.1B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $27M | $4.6B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $19M | $2.0B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $12M | $1.9B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +50.8% | +59.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +27.8% | +46.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +21.0% | +21.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +13.6% | +20.6% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +36.6% | +13.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +4.3% | -13.1% |
Valuation Metrics
ISSC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 23.8x trailing earnings, ISSC trades at a 39% valuation discount to TDG's 38.7x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), ISSC offers better value at 0.66x vs TDG's 1.24x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $372M | $70.1B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $393M | $97.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 23.76x | 38.72x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 26.55x | 32.01x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.66x | 1.24x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 16.52x | 21.48x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 4.41x | 7.94x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 5.77x | — |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 54.74x | 38.63x |
Profitability & Efficiency
ISSC leads this category, winning 5 of 7 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), TDG scores 6/9 vs ISSC's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +27.6% | — |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +17.2% | +8.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +18.8% | +20.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +24.6% | +20.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.37x | — |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $21M | $27.2B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $3M | $2.8B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $24M | $30.0B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 25.35x | 2.55x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
ISSC leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in ISSC five years ago would be worth $34,393 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $24,023 for TDG. Over the past 12 months, ISSC leads with a +212.1% total return vs TDG's -3.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ISSC at 47.4% vs TDG's 23.1% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +11.5% | -8.6% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +212.1% | -3.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +220.2% | +86.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +243.9% | +140.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +696.4% | +595.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +47.4% | +23.1% |
Risk & Volatility
TDG leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
TDG is the less volatile stock with a 0.79 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than ISSC's 2.34 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. TDG currently trades 76.5% from its 52-week high vs ISSC's 67.6% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.34x | 0.79x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $30.94 | $1623.83 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $6.68 | $1123.61 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +67.6% | +76.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 48.7 | 56.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 612K | 370K |
Analyst Outlook
TDG leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates ISSC as "Buy" and TDG as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 30.3% upside for TDG (target: $1618) vs 10.0% for ISSC (target: $23). TDG is the only dividend payer here at 13.32% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $23.00 | $1617.88 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 2 | 39 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +13.3% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $165.45 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +0.7% |
TDG leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Risk & Volatility). ISSC leads in 3 (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency).
ISSC vs TDG: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ISSC or TDG 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 11. 2% for TransDigm Group Incorporated (TDG). Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc. (ISSC) offers the better valuation at 23. 8x trailing P/E (26. 6x 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 TDG?
On trailing P/E, Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc.
(ISSC) is the cheapest at 23. 8x versus TransDigm Group Incorporated at 38. 7x. On forward P/E, Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc. is actually cheaper at 26. 6x. 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. 74x versus TransDigm Group Incorporated's 1. 03x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — ISSC or TDG?
Over the past 5 years, Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc.
(ISSC) delivered a total return of +243. 9%, compared to +140. 2% for TransDigm Group Incorporated (TDG). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ISSC returned +696. 4% versus TDG's +595. 3%. 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 TDG?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), TransDigm Group Incorporated (TDG) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
79β versus Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc. 's 2. 34β — meaning ISSC is approximately 197% more volatile than TDG relative to the S&P 500.
05Which is growing faster — ISSC or TDG?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc.
(ISSC) is pulling ahead at 78. 6% versus 11. 2% for TransDigm Group Incorporated (TDG). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc. grew EPS 120. 0% year-over-year, compared to 25. 2% for TransDigm Group Incorporated. 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 TDG?
TransDigm Group Incorporated (TDG) is the more profitable company, earning 23.
5% net margin versus 18. 5% for Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc. — meaning it keeps 23. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: TDG leads at 47. 2% versus 23. 8% for ISSC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — TDG leads at 60. 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 TDG 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. 74x versus TransDigm Group Incorporated's 1. 03x. 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 26. 6x forward P/E versus 32. 0x for TransDigm Group Incorporated — 5. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for TDG: 30. 3% to $1617. 88.
08Which pays a better dividend — ISSC or TDG?
In this comparison, TDG (13.
3% yield) pays a dividend. ISSC does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is ISSC or TDG better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, TransDigm Group Incorporated (TDG) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
79), 13. 3% yield, +595. 3% 10Y return). Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc. (ISSC) carries a higher beta of 2. 34 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (TDG: +595. 3%, ISSC: +696. 4%), 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 TDG?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: ISSC is a small-cap high-growth stock; TDG is a mid-cap income-oriented stock. TDG pays a dividend while ISSC does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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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