SPR vs DRS

For growth investors, Leonardo DRS, Inc.

(DRS) is the stronger pick with 12. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 4. 4% for Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. (SPR). Leonardo DRS, Inc. (DRS) offers the better valuation at 40. 2x trailing P/E (32. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Leonardo DRS, Inc. (DRS) a "Buy" — based on 9 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 forward P/E, Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc.

is actually cheaper at 31. 5x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Leonardo DRS, Inc.

(DRS) delivered a total return of +249. 3%, compared to -11. 6% for Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. (SPR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: DRS returned +54. 0% versus SPR's -11. 1%. 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), Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc.

(SPR) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 68β versus Leonardo DRS, Inc. 's 0. 95β — meaning DRS is approximately 39% more volatile than SPR relative to the S&P 500.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Leonardo DRS, Inc.

(DRS) is pulling ahead at 12. 8% versus 4. 4% for Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. (SPR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Leonardo DRS, Inc. grew EPS 28. 7% year-over-year, compared to -208. 4% for Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, SPR leads at 16. 9% 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.

Leonardo DRS, Inc.

(DRS) is the more profitable company, earning 7. 6% net margin versus -33. 9% for Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. — meaning it keeps 7. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: DRS leads at 9. 5% versus -28. 3% for SPR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — DRS leads at 23. 2%, 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, Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc.

(SPR) trades at 31. 5x forward P/E versus 32. 5x for Leonardo DRS, Inc. — 1. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for DRS: 28. 9% to $53. 33.

In this comparison, DRS (0.

9% yield) pays a dividend. SPR does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Leonardo DRS, Inc.

(DRS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 95), 0. 9% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (DRS: +54. 0%, SPR: -11. 1%), 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.

Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

DRS pays a dividend while SPR 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.