Which Is a Better Investment, BWX Technologies Inc or Leonardo DRS Inc Stock?

By AAII Staff
September 03, 2026
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Sifting through countless of stocks in the Aerospace & Defense industry can be tedious, and sometimes two stocks are just too similar to judge which is the better investment. If you’re on the fence about investing in Leonardo DRS, Inc., BWX Technologies or Inc. because you’re not sure how they measure up, it’s important to compare them on a few factors before making your decision.

Read on to learn how Leonardo DRS, Inc., BWX Technologies and Inc. compare based on key financial metrics to determine which better meets your investment needs.

About Leonardo DRS, Inc., BWX Technologies and Inc.

Leonardo DRS, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides defense electronic products and systems, and military support services worldwide. It operates through Advanced Sensing and Computing and Integrated Mission Systems segments. The Advanced Sensing and Computing segment designs, develops, and manufacture sensing and network computing technology that enables real-time situational awareness required for enhanced operational decision making and execution; and offers sensing capabilities span applications, such as missions requiring advanced detection, precision targeting and surveillance sensing, long range electro-optic/infrared, signals intelligence, and other intelligence systems including electronic warfare, ground vehicle sensing, active electronically scanned array tactical radars, dismounted soldier, and space sensing. This segment also provides network computing, which are utilized across a range of mission applications, such as platform computing on ground and shipboard for advanced battle management, combat systems, radar, command and control, tactical networks, tactical computing, and communications. The Integrated Mission Systems segment offers electrical propulsion systems, which includes power conversion, control, distribution, and propulsion systems, as well as power dense permanent magnet motors, energy storage systems, associated rugged and compact power conversion, electrical actuation systems, as well as advanced thermal management technologies, motor controllers, and instrumentation and control equipment. Leonardo DRS, Inc. was incorporated in 1968 and is based in Arlington, Virginia. Leonardo DRS, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Leonardo US Holding, LLC

BWX Technologies, Inc. manufactures and sells nuclear components in the United States, Canada, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Government Operations and Commercial Operations. It manufactures precision naval nuclear components, reactors, and nuclear fuel; close-tolerance and high-quality equipment for nuclear applications; critical nuclear components, fuels and assemblies for government and limited other uses; down blend government stockpiles of uranium; and fabricate fuel-bearing precision components. The company also supplies proprietary and sole-source valves, manifolds, and fittings to naval and commercial shipping customers; research reactor fuel elements for colleges, universities, and national laboratories; and components for defense applications. In addition, it manufactures commercial nuclear steam generators, nuclear fuel, fuel handling systems, pressure vessels, reactor components, heat exchangers, tooling delivery systems; and containers for the storage of nuclear fuel and other high-level nuclear waste. Further, the company supplies nuclear fuel, fuel handling systems, tooling delivery systems, nuclear-grade materials and precisely machined components; and manufactures medical radioisotopes, radiopharmaceuticals, and medical devices. Additionally, it provides specialized engineering services that include structural component design, 3-D thermal-hydraulic engineering analysis, weld and robotic process development, electrical and controls engineering and metallurgy and materials engineering; in-plant inspection, maintenance and modification services; and non-destructive examination and tooling/repair solutions. It also offers nuclear power plant lifecycle support and management services. The company was formerly known as The Babcock & Wilcox Company and changed its name to BWX Technologies, Inc. in June 2015. BWX Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1867 and is headquartered in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Latest Aerospace & Defense and Leonardo DRS, Inc., BWX Technologies, Inc. Stock News

As of September 2, 2026, Leonardo DRS, Inc. had a $9.9 billion market capitalization, compared to the Aerospace & Defense median of $3.9 million. Leonardo DRS, Inc.’s stock is NA in 2026, NA in the previous five trading days and down 11.88% in the past year.

Currently, Leonardo DRS, Inc.’s price-earnings ratio is 31.1. Leonardo DRS, Inc.’s trailing 12-month revenue is $3.8 billion with a 8.5% net profit margin. Year-over-year quarterly sales growth most recently was 10.1%. Analysts expect adjusted earnings to reach $1.390 per share for the current fiscal year. Leonardo DRS, Inc. currently has a 1.0% dividend yield.

Currently, BWX Technologies, Inc.’s price-earnings ratio is 40.3. BWX Technologies, Inc.’s trailing 12-month revenue is $3.5 billion with a 10.1% net profit margin. Year-over-year quarterly sales growth most recently was 18.0%. Analysts expect adjusted earnings to reach $4.739 per share for the current fiscal year. BWX Technologies, Inc. currently has a 0.7% dividend yield.

How We Compare Leonardo DRS, Inc., BWX Technologies and Inc. Stock Grades

Stock evaluation requires access to huge amounts of data and the knowledge and time to sift through it all, make sense of financial ratios, read income statements and analyze recent stock movements. AAII created A+ Investor, a robust data suite that condenses data research in an actionable and customizable way suitable for investors of all knowledge levels, to help investors streamline and work through such data.

AAII’s proprietary stock grades come with A+ Investor. These offer intuitive A‐F grades for each of five key investing factors: value, growth, momentum, earnings estimate revisions and quality. Here, we’ll take a closer look at Leonardo DRS, Inc., BWX Technologies and Inc.’s stock grades to see how they measure up against one another.

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Leonardo DRS, Inc., BWX Technologies and Inc. Growth Grades

Company Ticker Growth
Leonardo DRS, Inc. DRS B
BWX Technologies, Inc. BWXT A

The foundation of growth investing is seeking out stocks of companies exhibiting strong, consistent and prolonged growth that is expected to continue into the future.

In order to compute the growth score and assign it a letter grade, the percentile ranks for each of three components‐consistency of annual sales growth, five-year sales growth rankings adjusted for extreme levels, and consistency of positive annual cash from operations‐must be determined. These three rank figures are added together, and the sum is ranked against the entire stock universe to arrive at a company’s Growth Score to create an equal distribution of grades.

The companies in the bottom 20% of the stock universe receive Growth Grades of F, considered to be very weak, while those in the top 20% receive A grades, which are considered very strong.

Leonardo DRS, Inc. has a Growth Score of 73, which is Strong. BWX Technologies, Inc. has a Growth Score of 100, which is Very Strong.

The Growth Grade Winner: BWX Technologies, Inc.

As you can clearly see from the Growth Grade breakdown above, BWX Technologies, Inc. has a more attractive growth grade than Leonardo DRS, Inc.. For investors who focus solely on how a company is growing relative to other companies in the same industry, BWX Technologies, Inc. could be a good stock to add to their portfolio. However, it’s important for investors to analyze multiple factors based on a wide range of metrics before deciding whether to buy.

Leonardo DRS, Inc., BWX Technologies and Inc.’s Momentum Grades

Company Ticker Momentum
Leonardo DRS, Inc. DRS D
BWX Technologies, Inc. BWXT D

Momentum grades help to uncover stocks experiencing anomalously high rates of return; research finds that stocks with high relative levels of momentum tend to outperform, whereas those with low levels of momentum tend to continue underperforming. Momentum is based on the price change of a stock over a specified period relative to all other stocks.

Typically, AAII looks at the weighted relative strength over the trailing four quarters. The weighted four-quarter relative strength rank is the relative price change for each of the past four quarters. The most recent quarterly price change is given a weight of 40% and each of the three previous quarters are given a weighting of 20%.

Leonardo DRS, Inc. has a Momentum Score of 27, which is Weak. BWX Technologies, Inc. has a Momentum Score of 28, which is Weak.

The Momentum Stock Winner: No Clear Winner

Neither Leonardo DRS, Inc., BWX Technologies or Inc. has a strong enough Momentum Grade to be considered a “winner.” Investors considering these companies should do additional due diligence and research to see if either could be a good addition to their portfolios. It’s important to look at a wide range of financial metrics in order to determine if Leonardo DRS, Inc., BWX Technologies or Inc. is the better investment when it comes to momentum.

Leonardo DRS, Inc., BWX Technologies and Inc.’s Estimate Revisions Grades

Company Ticker Earnings Estimate
Leonardo DRS, Inc. DRS B
BWX Technologies, Inc. BWXT C

Earnings estimate revisions scores consider the magnitude of a company’s earnings surprise in its last two reported fiscal quarters. Often, positive surprises beget further positive surprises‐or at least continued sales growth (the exact opposite is generally true, too).

Estimate revisions offer an indication of what analysts are thinking about the short-term prospects of a firm. Estimate revisions are based on the statistical significance of a firm’s last two quarterly earnings surprises and the percentage change in its consensus estimate for the current fiscal year over the past month and past three months.

Leonardo DRS, Inc. has a Earnings Estimate Score of 80, which is Positive. BWX Technologies, Inc. has a Earnings Estimate Score of 59, which is Neutral.

The Earnings Estimate Revisions Grade Winner: Leonardo DRS, Inc.

As you can clearly see from the Earnings Estimate Revisions Grade breakdown above, Leonardo DRS, Inc. has a better Earnings Estimate Revisions Grade than BWX Technologies, Inc.. For those who are specifically looking for companies with better short-term prospects when compared to other companies in the same industry, Leonardo DRS, Inc. could be a good stock to invest in. However, it’s important to analyze multiple factors based on a wide range of metrics before deciding whether to buy.

Don’t Forget Your Free Special Report on How A+ Grades Can Help You Make Investment Decisions

Other Leonardo DRS, Inc., BWX Technologies and Inc. Grades

In addition to Momentum, Estimate Revisions and Growth, A+ Investor also provides grades for Value and Quality.

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Successful stock investing involves buying low and selling high, so stock valuation is an important consideration for stock selection. Buying stocks that are going to go up typically means buying stocks that are undervalued in the first place, although momentum investors may argue that point.

AAII’s A+ Investor Quality Grade comes from the ranking of key metrics. Specifically, the quality grade is the percentile rank of the composite of return on assets (ROA), return on invested capital (ROIC), gross profit relative to assets, buyback yield, change in total liabilities to assets, accruals, Z double prime bankruptcy risk (Z) score and F-Score.

These 2 key factors, when combined with the above, provide a holistic view into a particular stock. Further, by joining A+ Investor you can see whether Leonardo DRS, Inc., BWX Technologies and Inc. pass any of our 60+ stock screens that have outperformed the market since their creation.

So, Which Is the Better Investment, Leonardo DRS, Inc., BWX Technologies or Inc. Stock?

Overall, Leonardo DRS, Inc. stock has a Growth Score of 73, Momentum Score of 27 and Estimate Revisions Score of 80.

BWX Technologies, Inc. stock has a Growth Score of 100, Momentum Score of 28 and Estimate Revisions Score of 59.

Comparing Leonardo DRS, Inc., BWX Technologies and Inc.’s grades, scores and metrics can act as a solid basis to determine whether they may be a good investment or not. You’ll also want to look at your portfolio’s asset allocation as well as your risk tolerance and financial goals to see if either of these stocks would make a good fit for you. AAII can help you figure out which investments align with your individual needs and preferences.

Investors are encouraged to do their own due diligence and research. In this way, individuals can effectively become managers of their own assets‐without having to rely on others for financial independence. You can count on AAII for timeless articles on financial planning and stock-picking, unbiased research and actionable analysis.

A+ Investor adds to our qualitative teaching with a powerful data suite to help you whittle down investment choices to find stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or mutual funds that meet your needs.

Learn More About A+ Investor

AAII Disclaimer

We make no representations or warranties that any investor will, or is likely to, achieve profits similar to those shown, because past, hypothetical or simulated performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Before making an investment decision, you should consider your circumstances and whether the information on our content is applicable to your situation. This information was prepared in good faith, and we accept no liability for any errors or omissions. The full disclaimer can be read here.



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