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KTOS·Kratos Defense and Security Solutions

$43.72
+1.70 (+4.05%)
After Hours
High
$44.14
Open
$42.09
Market Cap
8.12B
52W High
$134.00
Low
$41.99
P. Close
$43.72
P/E
262.66
52W Low
$41.74
Fwd P/E
38.14
DailyIQ Est.
$112.51
Inst. Ownership
0.2%
Short Interest
5.42%
Days to Cover
2.8
Technical Score (1D)
18
BEARISH
News Sentiment
68
BULLISH
On Oct 6, Rothschild & Co Redburn issued a buy recommendation for Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, setting a price target of $70 and citing the company’s solid earnings trajectory and defense contracts as the basis for the rating. The same day, the firm noted that Kratos’ recent contracts were expected to strengthen its revenue outlook and position in the defense technology market. On Oct 5, Kratos announced it had secured more than $100 million in new contracts for space and cyber capabilities, covering the collection and processing of radio frequency signals, operational intelligence, joint targeting, electronic warfare, and offensive cyber operations. The agreements will leverage Kratos’ KnownSpace Network, which includes over 190 global RF sensors, as well as its software, analytics and cybersecurity tools. A second Oct 5 report highlighted that the same $100 million-plus awards would enable warfighters to collect and process complex RF signals, support electronic warfare, and conduct offensive cyber operations, further enhancing targeting and battle damage assessment. Both reports emphasized that these contracts represent a significant revenue boost and reinforce Kratos’ position in defense technology markets.
LOW TARGET
$60 +36.6%
2 analysts
MEAN TARGET
$102 +132.7%
11 analysts
HIGH TARGET
$150 +241.5%
18 analysts
PRICE RANGE
$60.00 - $150.00
SB / B / H / S / SS
10/16/3/1/1
DAILYIQ EST.
$112.51 (+156.2%)
Sector
Industrials
Industry
Aerospace & Defense
Exchange
NMS
Country
United States
Symbol
KTOS
Description
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions is a technology provider focused on the defense, national security, and commercial sectors, offering a diverse portfolio of products and services. The company operates through two primary segments, Government Solutions and Unmanned Systems, delivering advanced technologies across multiple domains. Key offerings include ground systems for space applications, unmanned aerial systems, propulsion systems, and command and control solutions. Kratos also provides electronic products and training systems, catering to a range of customers including the U.S. Department of Defense, intelligence agencies, and international government entities. Headquartered in San Diego, California, the company's core business revolves around supporting national security and defense initiatives.
Bought (1Y)
0 shares
$0
Sold (1Y)
508,662 shares
$31.1M
Lund Deanna HEVP & CFO
Sell2,900 shares2026-09-21
Lund Deanna HEVP & CFO
Sell4,100 shares2026-09-21
Carrai Phillip DPresident, STC Division
Sell420 shares2026-09-15
Carrai Phillip DPresident, STC Division
Sell3,380 shares2026-09-15
Carrai Phillip DPresident, STC Division
Sell2,700 shares2026-09-15
63/ 100
Neutral / mixed
Overall: Neutral
✓Revenue growing year over year
✓Positive net margin
✕Negative operating cash flow
Gross Margin
22.9%
Net Margin
1.6%
Revenue CAGR
9.1%
Current Ratio
4.06x
Debt / Equity
0.00x
Return on Equity
1.1%
Earnings Summary
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, headquartered in San Diego, delivers advanced technologies to the defense, national security, and commercial sectors, operating through Government Solutions and Unmanned Systems segments that include ground systems for space, unmanned aerial systems, propulsion, and command‑and‑control solutions. In the aerospace & defense industry, the company competes for U.S. Department of Defense and international government contracts, positioning itself as a key supplier of missile components and satellite systems. Recent quarterly results show a consistent upward trajectory: Q4 2024 EPS of $0.13 beat the $0.10 estimate, and revenue of $283.1 M, while Q1 2025 EPS rose to $0.12 with revenue $302.6 M; Q2 2025 EPS $0.11 and revenue $351.5 M; Q3 2025 EPS $0.14 and revenue $347.6 M; Q4 2025 EPS $0.18 and revenue $345.1 M; Q1 2026 EPS $0.16 and revenue $371 M; Q2 2026 EPS $0.21 and revenue $458.8 M. The company has consistently beat earnings estimates in each of the last six quarters, with EPS growth accelerating from $0.13 to $0.21 and revenue rising from $283 M to $459 M, a 62% YoY increase in Q2 2026 versus Q2 2025. Historically, Kratos has maintained a strong YoY revenue growth trend, often exceeding analyst expectations, while EPS has trended upward despite occasional margin compression; the pattern of revenue growth coupled with EPS beats underscores a resilient backlog. Recent news highlights the successful ignition of the GEK800 turbofan cruise‑missile propulsion system, a milestone that shortens development timelines and strengthens the company’s competitive position; Bristow’s addition of ten early‑delivery slots for the Chaparral autonomous cargo aircraft signals robust demand, and a $20 M mobile SATCOM contract expands its revenue base.

EPS

EstBeatMiss
$0.08$0.11$0.15$0.19$0.23Q2'25Q3'25Q4'25Q1'26Q2'26Q3'26
QtrEstActual+/−
Q3'26$0.20 - -
Q2'26$0.14$0.21+51.6%
Q1'26$0.14$0.16+17.3%
Q4'25$0.15$0.18+16.2%
Q3'25$0.12$0.14+12.3%
Q2'25$0.09$0.11+17.7%

Revenue

EstBeatMiss
$325M$369M$412M$456M$499MQ2'25Q3'25Q4'25Q1'26Q2'26Q3'26
QtrEstActual+/−
Q3'26$479M - -
Q2'26$419M$459M+9.6%
Q1'26$346M$371M+7.1%
Q4'25$347M$345M-0.6%
Q3'25 - $348M -
Q2'25 - $352M -

Market Data

KTOS Stock Snapshot

BEARISH18/100
$43.92+$0.20 (0.5%)
Market cap
8.12B
P/E ratio
262.7
Day range
$41.99 – $44.13
News sentiment
68/100 · Bullish
Analyst target
$102.19 (+132.7%)
Consensus
Buy · 31 analysts
52-week range+5.2% off low · -67.2% from high
$41.74$134.00
Price $43.92 DailyIQ Est. $112.51

The trend on KTOS is bearish, and the indicator set is confirming it rather than diverging. Thinner liquidity means moves can extend past what the fundamentals alone justify.

Behaviour On Record

What KTOS's own history says about today's numbers

Realized volatility (21d)
30.5% 12th pct
Below its peak
-68.1%
vs 200-day average
-39.2%
Up days (1y)
43%

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions is currently running 30.5% annualised volatility over the last 21 sessions. Measured against KTOS's own 13 years of daily returns rather than a market-wide average, that is the 12th percentile — unusually subdued by its own history, against a typical reading of 47.1%. The distinction matters because a number that looks calm for one stock is turbulent for another, and the absolute figure on its own tells you neither.

KTOS is trading -68.1% below its running peak. Across 12 full years on file, its median worst-drawdown-in-a-year was -34.6%, and the deepest was -58.6% in 2022. The current drawdown is already deeper than this stock's typical annual low point, which puts it in the part of its range where past recoveries began — and where past declines also continued.

Price sits -39.2% from its 200-day moving average. Against every other day in its history, that gap ranks at the 1st percentile — a narrower gap than it typically runs. Over the past year KTOS closed higher on 43% of sessions, and it is currently 1 session into a falling streak.

On October specifically: over 13 years of records, KTOS finished the month higher 6 of 13 times, with a median return of -3.1% and an average of +0.1%. Its strongest month historically has been May at +10.9% on average, its weakest November at -3.2%. Seasonality is a weak signal on its own — a decade is a small sample and regimes change — but it is a real distribution rather than a rule of thumb.

Overnight risk is measurable too: KTOS has opened more than 2% away from the prior close in 411 of 3,267 sessions (12.6% of the time), with the largest gaps running +16.7% and -13.4%. For anyone holding through an event, that rate is a better guide to overnight exposure than the intraday range.

Across the last 3 dated reports on file, KTOS moved an average of 2.8% in the session after earnings, closing higher 1 of those 3 times, with a median move of -0.1% and a largest of -6.1%.

All figures computed from 3,268 daily closes between 2013-10-07 and 2026-10-05, split-adjusted, recomputed daily. Percentiles are against KTOS's own 13-year history, not a peer group or index.

Sector Rotation

Is money rotating into or out of KTOS's sector?

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions sits in the Industrials sector, currently ranked 5th of 12 GICS sectors by relative-strength rotation score (improving). Within its narrower Aerospace & Defense industry group, KTOS ranks 12th of 15 tracked industries, lagging.

Sector rank
#5 of 12
Sector state
Improving
Sector rotation score
55
Industry rank
#12 of 15

Options Market

What is the options market pricing for KTOS?

CallsPuts

For Kratos Defense and Security Solutions's nearest expiry (2026-10-09, 3 days out), open interest is call-heavy, a bullish tilt (put/call ratio of 0.77), with at-the-money implied volatility around 55.6%. The options market is pricing roughly a ±5.6% move by that expiry — a range of about $40.77–$45.59.

Put/call ratio (2026-10-09)
0.77
ATM implied volatility
55.6%
Total open interest
6,341
Expected move by 2026-10-09
±5.6% ($40.77–$45.59)

Analyst Rating Changes

Are analysts turning bullish or bearish on KTOS?

Jefferies most recently reiterated its rating on Kratos Defense and Security Solutions to Buy on Oct 1, 2026 with a price target of $68 (from $80). Over the last 90 days, coverage has run 1 upgrade against 0 downgrades, a net bullish lean.

Latest action
Jefferies — Buy
90-day upgrades
1
90-day downgrades
0
Net rating momentum
+1
DateFirmActionRatingPrice target
Oct 1, 2026JefferiesMaintainedBuy$80 → $68
Sep 15, 2026GuggenheimInitiatedBuy$74
Aug 13, 2026Truist SecuritiesMaintainedBuy$135 → $104
Aug 6, 2026Canaccord GenuityMaintainedBuy$130 → $135
Aug 6, 2026StifelMaintainedBuy$134 → $115
Aug 5, 2026BTIGMaintainedBuy$100 → $104
Aug 5, 2026Piper SandlerUpgradeNeutral → Overweight$75
Aug 4, 2026Cantor FitzgeraldMaintainedOverweight$115 → $100
Jul 14, 2026Goldman SachsMaintainedBuy$100 → $89
Jul 8, 2026JefferiesReiteratedBuy$80
Jul 1, 2026WedbushInitiatedOutperform$85
Jun 12, 2026JP MorganUpgradeNeutral → Overweight$99 → $82

KTOS Competitive Positioning

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions (KTOS) is tracked alongside these names in Aerospace & Defense on DailyIQ — ranked by market cap, with today's move alongside.

News Sentiment Analysis

Sentiment gathered from recent headlines

68/100
Strong NegativeNeutralStrong Positive
MODERATELY BULLISH

Recent News Coverage

Most recent articles, ranked by recency (click to expand).

10+ articles
What did this article say?
Rothschild & Co Redburn announced a buy recommendation for Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS) on October 6. The firm set a price target of $70, reflecting confidence in the company’s defense contracts and revenue growth. The rating aligns with the broader market view that KTOS is positioned to benefit from increased defense spending. The recommendation is based on the company’s solid earnings trajectory and strategic partnerships. No immediate catalysts were identified beyond the existing business fundamentals.
What did this article say?
Rothschild & Co announced it was initiating coverage of Kratos Defense & Security (KTOS) with a Buy rating. The firm set a new price target of $70 per share. The coverage launch signals confidence in KTOS’s growth prospects and is expected to influence investor sentiment.
What did this article say?
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions announced on October 5 that it had secured more than $100 million in new contracts for space and cyber capabilities. The agreements cover the collection and processing of radio frequency signals, operational intelligence, joint targeting, electronic warfare, and offensive cyber operations. The work will leverage Kratos’ KnownSpace Network, which includes over 190 global RF sensors, along with its software, analytics and cybersecurity tools. The announcement is expected to strengthen KTOS’s revenue outlook and enhance its position in the defense technology market.
What did this article say?
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions announced contract awards exceeding $100 million to develop prototype mission applications and cyber capabilities for space intelligence and joint operations. The contracts will enable warfighters to collect and process complex radio frequency signals, support electronic warfare, and conduct offensive cyber operations. Leveraging Kratos’ KnownSpace network and field‑portable space domain awareness terminals, the projects aim to enhance targeting and battle damage assessment. The awards represent a significant revenue boost and reinforce KTOS’s position in defense technology markets.
What did this article say?
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions announced on Oct 5 that it had secured multiple contracts totaling more than $100 million to develop prototype mission applications and cyber capabilities. The agreements will enable warfighters to collect and process complex radio‑frequency signals, generate operational intelligence, and support joint targeting cycles. The contracts represent a significant expansion of Kratos’s defense portfolio and are expected to strengthen its position in the defense technology market.
What did this article say?
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions achieved a key milestone with the successful ignition of the GEK800 (now F143) turbofan cruise missile propulsion system, confirming its architecture and readiness for integration into long-range platforms. The milestone indicates the company is preparing for large-volume production, positioning the GEK800 line as a significant contributor to its defense technology portfolio. This development supports Kratos’ narrative that heavy investment in propulsion, hypersonics, and unmanned systems can translate into sustained production volumes and improved profitability, despite current cash burn and low margins.
What did this article say?
Jefferies analyst Sheila Kahyaoglu maintained a Buy recommendation for Kratos Defense & Security (KTOS) while lowering the price target from $80 to $68. The downgrade reflects a more conservative valuation outlook, but the rating remains positive. The move signals a reassessment of growth prospects without a change in the overall bullish stance.
What did this article say?
The U.S. Department of Defense announced a new Autonomous Warfare Command, slated to be operational by October 2027, as part of a broader AI and robotics modernization push. Kratos Defense and Security (KTOS) was highlighted among several defense contractors slated to support the initiative, prompting a positive market reaction. The announcement signals increased demand for autonomous weapon systems and related technologies, potentially enhancing KTOS’s revenue prospects. Investors viewed the development as a material tailwind for the company’s defense portfolio.
What did this article say?
KTOS, along with other defense contractors, is confronting a broader sector decline despite solid profitability. The company’s upcoming November earnings are expected to reflect the industry’s downward trend. Analysts anticipate that the earnings report may highlight challenges in maintaining growth momentum amid reduced defense spending. The market reaction is likely to be cautious, with investors weighing the company’s resilience against the prevailing headwinds.
What did this article say?
Kratos delivered Q2 earnings that outperformed analyst expectations, with revenue exceeding consensus by 4%. The company lifted its next‑quarter revenue outlook by 1.1%, signaling confidence amid robust defense demand. The broader defense contractor cohort mirrored this upside, highlighting sector resilience amid geopolitical pressures. These outcomes support Kratos’ continued growth trajectory.

Technical Analysis

Real-time indicators across multiple timeframes

18
BEARISH
Technical indicators reflect the latest computed signal mix for this timeframe.
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Institutional & Hedge Fund Ownership
3 tracked managers · $18.24M combined position · 2 adding, 1 trimming, 0 unchanged (latest 13F filings)
ManagerTrendShares Held% of Co.Position ValueFiled
Neuberger Berman Group LLC▼ Sell261,0480.14%$13.02M2026-08-13
Marshall Wace, LLP▲ Buy89,8740.05%$4.48M2026-08-13
Ancora Advisors LLC▲ Buy14,8440.01%$740.1K2026-08-14
Q2 2026 flow:80.3K sh bought ($4.01M)90.9K sh sold ($4.53M)net -10.6K sh (−$527.8K)