MMS vs CACI

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

6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 2. 4% for Maximus, Inc. (MMS). Maximus, Inc. (MMS) offers the better valuation at 12. 1x trailing P/E (7. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Maximus, Inc. (MMS) a "Buy" — based on 16 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, Maximus, Inc.

(MMS) is the cheapest at 12. 1x versus CACI International Inc at 22. 0x. On forward P/E, Maximus, Inc. is actually cheaper at 7. 8x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Maximus, Inc. wins at 0. 77x versus CACI International Inc's 1. 44x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

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

4%, compared to -20. 4% for Maximus, Inc. (MMS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CACI returned +416. 4% versus MMS's +39. 7%. 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 Maximus, Inc. 's 0. 72β — meaning MMS is approximately 144% 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 86% for Maximus, 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 2. 4% for Maximus, Inc. (MMS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: CACI International Inc grew EPS 20. 0% year-over-year, compared to 10. 4% for Maximus, 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.

Maximus, Inc.

(MMS) is the more profitable company, earning 5. 9% net margin versus 5. 8% for CACI International Inc — meaning it keeps 5. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MMS leads at 10. 6% versus 8. 9% for CACI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MMS leads at 23. 0%, 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.

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, Maximus, Inc. (MMS) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 77x versus CACI International Inc's 1. 44x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Maximus, Inc. (MMS) trades at 7. 8x forward P/E versus 17. 4x for CACI International Inc — 9. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MMS: 65. 0% to $110. 00.

In this comparison, MMS (1.

8% 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%, MMS: +39. 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (MMS (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: MMS is a small-cap deep-value stock; CACI is a mid-cap quality compounder stock. MMS 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.