VSAT vs LHX

For growth investors, Viasat, Inc.

(VSAT) is the stronger pick with 5. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 2. 5% for L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (LHX). L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (LHX) offers the better valuation at 35. 3x trailing P/E (26. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Viasat, Inc. (VSAT) a "Buy" — based on 20 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.

Over the past 5 years, L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

(LHX) delivered a total return of +47. 8%, compared to +33. 8% for Viasat, Inc. (VSAT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: LHX returned +346. 1% versus VSAT's -12. 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), L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

(LHX) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 39β versus Viasat, Inc. 's 2. 92β — meaning VSAT is approximately 652% more volatile than LHX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (LHX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 53% versus 162% for Viasat, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Viasat, Inc.

(VSAT) is pulling ahead at 5. 5% versus 2. 5% for L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (LHX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Viasat, Inc. grew EPS 50. 9% year-over-year, compared to 8. 4% for L3Harris Technologies, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, VSAT leads at 23. 2% 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.

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

(LHX) is the more profitable company, earning 7. 3% net margin versus -12. 7% for Viasat, Inc. — meaning it keeps 7. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: LHX leads at 10. 0% versus -2. 2% for VSAT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — VSAT leads at 33. 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.

Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for LHX: 17.

0% to $352. 25.

In this comparison, LHX (1.

6% yield) pays a dividend. VSAT does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

(LHX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 39), 1. 6% yield, +346. 1% 10Y return). Viasat, Inc. (VSAT) carries a higher beta of 2. 92 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (LHX: +346. 1%, VSAT: -12. 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.

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

LHX pays a dividend while VSAT 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.