Compare equities side by side
Stocks breaking to new annual highs
S&P 500 oversold value screener
Relative strength momentum leaders
Upcoming earnings dates & reports
Filter and sort all 500 stocks
Continuous multi-factor scoring & catalyst forensics
Today's biggest gainers and losers
Karman Holdings operates in the aerospace and defense sector with a focus on specialized components and systems. The company has demonstrated exceptional revenue growth of 23% YoY and dramatic profitability improvement (net income up 191% YoY), suggesting successful execution of new contracts or operational turnaround. The stock trades at premium multiples (24.4x P/S, 103.9x EV/EBITDA) reflecting investor expectations for continued high growth in defense spending and aerospace recovery.
Karman generates revenue through long-term contracts with defense prime contractors and direct government contracts, plus commercial aerospace OEM supply agreements. The 38.3% gross margin suggests specialized, engineered products with moderate pricing power. Operating margin of 18.4% indicates efficient operations but significant SG&A investment typical of defense contractors managing complex certifications and compliance. Revenue is likely driven by multi-year production contracts with milestone-based payments, providing visibility but requiring working capital for inventory and receivables (current ratio of 2.86 supports this). The business benefits from high switching costs once products are designed into platforms and certified.
New defense contract awards and program wins (dollar value and duration of contracts)
Commercial aerospace production rate changes at Boeing and Airbus (affects component demand)
Defense budget authorization levels and appropriations timing in US and allied nations
Program milestone achievements and delivery schedules on key platforms
Margin expansion as existing programs ramp to full-rate production
Defense budget constraints or shifting priorities away from platforms using Karman components as geopolitical focus evolves
Consolidation among defense primes reducing number of potential customers and increasing pricing pressure on suppliers
Technology obsolescence risk if newer platforms adopt different architectures or in-house solutions
Regulatory and compliance burden increases (ITAR, cybersecurity, quality certifications) raising cost structure
Larger, vertically-integrated defense primes bringing component production in-house to capture margins
Competition from established aerospace suppliers with broader product portfolios and customer relationships
New entrants leveraging advanced manufacturing (additive, automation) to undercut pricing on legacy components
Customer concentration risk if revenue is heavily dependent on few programs or prime contractors
Debt/equity of 1.31 creates refinancing risk if credit markets tighten or if profitability disappoints
Near-zero free cash flow despite 18.4% operating margin suggests working capital intensity or heavy capex needs, limiting financial flexibility
Low ROE (3.6%) and ROA (2.7%) indicate capital is not yet generating adequate returns, requiring continued investment before sustainable cash generation
Rapid growth may require additional capital raises, diluting existing shareholders at current premium valuation
moderate - Defense revenue (majority of business) is relatively insulated from GDP cycles due to multi-year government contracts and geopolitical drivers. However, commercial aerospace exposure creates cyclical sensitivity to air travel demand, airline profitability, and OEM production rates. The 23% revenue growth suggests defense is currently driving performance, reducing near-term cyclical risk. Long-term, commercial aerospace recovery from 2024-2025 levels provides upside leverage.
Rising rates have mixed impact. Higher rates increase financing costs for working capital (relevant given $0.0B operating cash flow and 1.31 debt/equity ratio), pressuring margins. However, defense contractors often pass through financing costs in cost-plus contracts. The primary rate impact is valuation compression - at 24.4x P/S and 103.9x EV/EBITDA, the stock is priced for growth, making it vulnerable to multiple contraction as discount rates rise. Commercial aerospace customers (airlines) face higher aircraft financing costs, potentially slowing order rates.
Moderate - While government contracts provide payment certainty, commercial aerospace customers' creditworthiness matters for receivables collection. Tighter credit conditions could stress airline customers and delay payments or orders. The company's own credit access affects working capital financing for inventory builds ahead of deliveries. Current ratio of 2.86 suggests adequate liquidity buffer currently.
growth - The 150.5% one-year return, 23% revenue growth, and 191% earnings growth attract momentum and growth investors betting on continued defense spending expansion and aerospace recovery. Premium valuation (24.4x P/S) indicates market is pricing in sustained high growth rather than current profitability. The stock appeals to thematic investors focused on defense modernization and geopolitical tensions. Not suitable for value or income investors given minimal FCF yield (0.1%) and no indication of dividends.
high - The 34% three-month return and 150% one-year return demonstrate significant volatility. Small-cap defense stocks ($10.5B market cap) with concentrated customer bases and lumpy contract awards experience sharp moves on program news. Premium valuation creates downside risk if growth disappoints or multiples compress. Limited float and institutional ownership patterns typical of mid-cap defense names can amplify price swings.
