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Kratos Defense (KTOS)
NASDAQ:KTOS

Kratos Defense (KTOS) AI Stock Analysis

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KTOS

Kratos Defense

(NASDAQ:KTOS)

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Neutral 63 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:63Neutral
Price Target:
$111.00
▼(-8.64% Downside)
The score is anchored by mixed financial fundamentals—strong balance sheet and growth, but weak profitability and negative cash flow—partly offset by very constructive guidance and execution versus Q3 targets. Technicals are strong but look overbought, while the extremely high P/E meaningfully drags the overall score.
Positive Factors
Balance Sheet Strength
Kratos' very low debt-to-equity indicates a conservative capital structure and low financial leverage. That durability reduces refinancing risk, gives flexibility to invest in production and R&D for multiyear defense programs, and supports bidding on large government contracts.
Upgraded Multi-Year Revenue Guidance
Management's materially higher multi-year organic growth targets and guided EBITDA expansion reflect durable program wins and backlog visibility. Sustained double-digit growth with expected operating-leverage gains supports mid-term revenue runway and the case for reinvestment into scale.
Strategic Acquisition & Partnerships
The Orbit acquisition and partnerships (e.g., Northrop Grumman, Airbus integrations) broaden Kratos' satellite comms and unmanned systems footprint. These moves expand addressable markets, add complementary tech, and create cross-sell and international opportunities that should sustain growth beyond one-off contracts.
Negative Factors
Negative Operating & Free Cash Flow
Persistent negative operating and free cash flow shows core cash generation weakness despite revenue growth. Over the medium term this limits internal funding for working capital, inventory buildup and capex for production scale, increasing reliance on external financing or dilutive capital actions.
Thin Profitability and Margin Pressure
Very low net margin and declining gross/EBITDA margins point to structural profitability constraints. With production and fixed-price programs, limited margins reduce the firm's ability to absorb cost inflation, undermining free cash generation and making earnings highly sensitive to contract mix.
Material Cost Pressure on Fixed-Price Contracts
Rising subcontractor and material costs on multi-year fixed-price programs create a structural earnings risk: margins can be permanently compressed unless contracts are repriced or efficiencies found. For a company scaling production, such input-cost exposure can materially erode returns over quarters.

Kratos Defense (KTOS) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Kratos Defense Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionKratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. operates as a government contractor of the U.S. Department of Defense. The company operates through two segments, Kratos Government Solutions and Unmanned Systems. The Kratos Government Solutions segment offers microwave electronic products, space and satellite communications, training and cybersecurity/ warfare, C5ISR/ modular systems, turbine technologies, and defense and rocket support services. The Unmanned Systems segment provides unmanned aerial systems, and unmanned ground and seaborne systems. It serves national security related agencies, the department of defense, intelligence agencies, and classified agencies, as well as international government agencies and domestic and international commercial customers. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. was incorporated in 1994 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.
How the Company Makes MoneyKratos generates revenue through multiple streams, primarily by providing systems and services under government contracts. The company earns money from the sale of unmanned systems and drones, which are utilized for surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Additionally, Kratos offers tactical communications equipment and services, which contribute significantly to its earnings. The company also engages in research and development initiatives funded by government contracts, allowing it to create cutting-edge technologies. Strategic partnerships with defense agencies and collaborations with other defense contractors further enhance its revenue potential, as they lead to joint projects and shared resources.

Kratos Defense Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 04, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 19, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call for Kratos Defense & Security Solutions highlighted strong revenue growth, significant program wins, and strategic acquisitions, positioning the company for future success. However, challenges such as increased material costs and cash flow issues due to the federal government shutdown were noted.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Increased Revenue Forecast
Kratos increased its full year 2025 revenue forecast to 14% to 15% organic growth over fiscal '24, up from the original forecast of 11% to 13%. The 2026 forecast is now 15% to 20% growth, up from 13% to 15%.
Significant Program Wins
Kratos secured multiple program wins including Helios, Anaconda, Poseidon, and others, expected to be multiyear, multi-decade programs with significant revenue potential.
Valkyrie Program Developments
Partnerships with Northrop Grumman and Airbus for the Valkyrie program, with expectations for it to become a key offering for the Marines and the German Air Force, among others.
Strong Q3 Financial Performance
Revenues for Q3 were $347.6 million, above the estimated range, with significant contributions from the Unmanned Systems business and defense rocket support and space training.
Acquisition of Orbit
Kratos announced the acquisition of Orbit, a leading provider of satellite-based communication systems, expected to be immediately accretive and enhance growth opportunities.
Negative Updates
Increased Material Costs
Continued increased subcontractor and material costs on certain multiyear fixed price contracts in the Unmanned Systems business.
Cash Flow Challenges
Negative cash flow from operations in Q3 due to working capital requirements and investments, with free cash flow used totaling $41.3 million.
Impact of Government Shutdown
Federal government shutdown impacted expected government contract receivable payment dates, increasing customer accounts receivable days sales outstanding.
Company Guidance
During the Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Third Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call, the company provided substantial guidance metrics. Kratos increased its full-year 2025 revenue forecast to reflect 14% to 15% organic growth over fiscal 2024, up from the original 11% to 13%. For 2026, they projected organic revenue growth of 15% to 20%, and offered a preliminary 2027 revenue growth target of 18% to 23%. The company anticipates an approximate 100 basis point EBITDA margin expansion in both 2026 and 2027. The forecasts exclude the Orbit acquisition announced during the call. Kratos' third-quarter revenues reached $347.6 million, surpassing the estimated range of $315 million to $325 million, driven by strong performance across all business units, particularly in the Unmanned Systems segment. Adjusted EBITDA was $30.8 million, above the guided range of $25 million to $30 million. For the full year 2025, Kratos expects revenues between $1.320 billion to $1.330 billion, with adjusted EBITDA guidance maintained at $114 million to $120 million. They also highlighted the potential positive impact of upcoming U.S. defense procurement reforms and international opportunities, which are expected to bolster their future growth trajectory.

Kratos Defense Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Kratos Defense shows moderate revenue growth but struggles with profitability and cash flow management. The company maintains a strong balance sheet with low leverage, providing financial stability. However, improving operational efficiency and cash flow generation is crucial.
Income Statement
65
Positive
Kratos Defense shows moderate revenue growth with a 4.43% increase in TTM, indicating a positive trajectory. However, profitability margins such as the net profit margin (1.20%) and EBIT margin (1.99%) are relatively low, suggesting challenges in cost management or pricing power. The gross profit margin has slightly decreased over time, indicating potential pressure on production costs or pricing strategies.
Balance Sheet
75
Positive
The company maintains a strong balance sheet with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.056, indicating conservative leverage and financial stability. The equity ratio is healthy, reflecting a strong capital base. However, the return on equity (ROE) is low at 0.96%, suggesting limited profitability relative to shareholder equity.
Cash Flow
50
Neutral
Kratos Defense faces challenges in cash flow management, with negative free cash flow and a high free cash flow to net income ratio of -5.67, indicating cash flow issues relative to earnings. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is low at 0.033, suggesting inefficiencies in converting earnings into cash.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.28B1.14B1.04B898.30M811.50M747.70M
Gross Profit294.30M287.20M268.60M226.00M225.10M203.20M
EBITDA91.60M93.60M77.50M26.20M62.80M64.40M
Net Income20.00M16.30M-8.90M-36.90M-2.00M79.60M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets2.42B1.95B1.63B1.55B1.59B1.56B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments565.90M329.30M72.80M81.30M349.40M380.80M
Total Debt134.30M282.00M321.40M301.80M339.50M348.50M
Total Liabilities441.80M597.70M634.00M604.00M629.20M622.70M
Stockholders Equity1.98B1.35B976.00M936.30M945.10M925.30M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-93.30M-8.50M12.80M-71.10M-15.70M10.70M
Operating Cash Flow-8.60M49.70M65.20M-25.70M30.80M46.60M
Investing Cash Flow-84.70M-69.70M-43.80M-177.40M-52.10M-87.30M
Financing Cash Flow357.20M277.60M-30.70M-63.30M-9.30M247.70M

Kratos Defense Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price121.50
Price Trends
50DMA
81.38
Positive
100DMA
82.01
Positive
200DMA
63.19
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
11.59
Negative
RSI
85.15
Negative
STOCH
95.72
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For KTOS, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 121.5 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 91.07, above the 50-day MA of 81.38, and above the 200-day MA of 63.19, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 11.59 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 85.15 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 95.72 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for KTOS.

Kratos Defense Risk Analysis

Kratos Defense disclosed 67 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Kratos Defense reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Kratos Defense Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
76
Outperform
$11.02B42.0110.35%1.04%12.27%33.16%
75
Outperform
$16.60B20.7211.46%0.09%1.83%-0.73%
69
Neutral
$16.30B28.7012.39%1.53%2.60%-18.22%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
63
Neutral
$20.51B989.411.20%14.00%23.78%
62
Neutral
$19.06B-304.47-2.64%79.89%-171.81%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
KTOS
Kratos Defense
121.50
87.89
261.50%
AVAV
AeroVironment
381.80
216.41
130.85%
HII
Huntington Ingalls
415.39
218.97
111.48%
DRS
Leonardo Drs
41.42
6.91
20.04%
TXT
Textron
94.17
15.41
19.57%

Kratos Defense Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyM&A Transactions
Kratos Defense Acquires Orbit Technologies for $356.3M
Positive
Nov 7, 2025

On November 4, 2025, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions announced a definitive agreement to acquire Orbit Technologies Ltd for $356.3 million. Orbit, a leading provider of satellite-based communication systems, will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Kratos, enhancing its position in the global unmanned systems and satellite communications market. The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to Kratos’ financial metrics and will integrate Orbit’s operations into Kratos’ Microwave Electronics Division. This strategic move is anticipated to create new growth opportunities and strengthen Kratos’ market presence, particularly in the U.S. defense sector.

The most recent analyst rating on (KTOS) stock is a Buy with a $95.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Kratos Defense stock, see the KTOS Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jan 09, 2026