KBR vs CACI

For growth investors, CACI International Inc (CACI) is the stronger pick with 12.

6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 0. 6% for KBR, Inc. (KBR). KBR, Inc. (KBR) offers the better valuation at 10. 3x trailing P/E (8. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate KBR, Inc. (KBR) a "Buy" — based on 31 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.

On trailing P/E, KBR, Inc.

(KBR) is the cheapest at 10. 3x versus CACI International Inc at 22. 0x. On forward P/E, KBR, Inc. is actually cheaper at 8. 7x.

Over the past 5 years, CACI International Inc (CACI) delivered a total return of +85.

4%, compared to -12. 6% for KBR, Inc. (KBR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CACI returned +416. 4% versus KBR's +163. 2%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), CACI International Inc (CACI) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

30β versus KBR, Inc. 's 0. 83β — meaning KBR is approximately 179% more volatile than CACI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, CACI International Inc (CACI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 86% versus 2% for KBR, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), CACI International Inc (CACI) is pulling ahead at 12.

6% versus 0. 6% for KBR, Inc. (KBR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: CACI International Inc grew EPS 20. 0% year-over-year, compared to 14. 6% for KBR, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CACI leads at 11. 6% 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.

CACI International Inc (CACI) is the more profitable company, earning 5.

8% net margin versus 5. 3% for KBR, Inc. — meaning it keeps 5. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CACI leads at 8. 9% versus 7. 3% for KBR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — KBR leads at 14. 8%, 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.

On forward earnings alone, KBR, Inc.

(KBR) trades at 8. 7x forward P/E versus 17. 4x for CACI International Inc — 8. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for KBR: 55. 6% to $51. 67.

In this comparison, KBR (2.

0% yield) pays a dividend. CACI does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, CACI International Inc (CACI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

30), +416. 4% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CACI: +416. 4%, KBR: +163. 2%), 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (KBR (Industrials) and CACI (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: KBR is a small-cap deep-value stock; CACI is a mid-cap quality compounder stock. KBR pays a dividend while CACI 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.