HEI vs TDG Stock Comparison: AI Score, Valuation, Performance and Upside
Both HEICO and TDG are elite aerospace component businesses with strong moats, but with distinctly different strategies — HEICO uses FAA PMA parts to offer lower-cost alternatives to OEM parts, while TransDigm acquires sole-source proprietary parts and aggressively manages pricing. Both have exceptional long-term returns but very different risk profiles.
HEI vs TDG compares two elite aerospace component franchises: HEICO's cost-alternative PMA strategy versus TransDigm's sole-source proprietary pricing model, both compounding returns through niche aerospace markets.
HEI and TDG are closely matched — they split the tracked metrics evenly. HEI has delivered stronger 1-year price return (+8.44% vs -6.81%), though TDG trades at the lower forward P/E (26.75x vs 49.22x). Analyst consensus implies meaningfully more upside for TDG (+21.33%) than for HEI (+14.54%).
- →Want exposure to a high-quality, family-controlled aerospace components compounder with lower leverage
- →Value HEICO's dual-strategy of PMA alternatives and defense electronics acquisition
- →Prefer a less controversial, lower-leverage aerospace parts business versus TransDigm's high-debt model
- →Want the maximum pricing power and EBITDA margin profile in aerospace aftermarket components
- →Are comfortable with TransDigm's high leverage and aggressive sole-source pricing strategy
- →Value the frequent special dividend distributions enabled by TransDigm's exceptional cash generation
| Metric | HEI | TDG |
|---|---|---|
| AI score | 60.6 | 58.0 |
| AI rank | #150 | #206 |
| Latest close | $337.10 | $1,328.31 |
| 1M return | +15.30% | +12.66% |
| 6M return | +9.88% | +5.28% |
| 1Y return | +8.44% | -6.81% |
How much would $10,000 be worth today if invested at the start of each period, with all dividends reinvested?
| Period | HEI | TDG |
|---|---|---|
| 1Y ago | $10.85K (+8.5%) started 2025-06-18 | $9.39K (-6.1%) started 2025-06-18 |
| 5Y ago | $24.71K (+147.1%) started 2021-06-18 | $25.18K (+151.8%) started 2021-06-21 |
| 10Y ago | $102.96K (+929.6%) started 2016-06-20 | $121.93K (+1119.3%) started 2016-06-20 |
Hypothetical — past performance does not guarantee future results.
| Metric | HEI | TDG |
|---|---|---|
| Market cap | $47.08B | $70.26B |
| Trailing P/E | 60.20 | 39.21 |
| Forward P/E | 49.22 | 26.75 |
| Price/Sales | 9.59 | 9.82 |
| EV/Revenue | 10.15 | 10.35 |
| Analyst target | $386.10 | $1,524.00 |
| Target upside | +14.54% | +21.33% |
| Metric | HEI | TDG |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue growth | 25.30% | 18.30% |
| Earnings growth | 48.20% | 11.50% |
| EPS growth | +48.20% | +11.50% |
| FCF margin | +14.42% | +16.05% |
| Operating margin | N/A | 46.66% |
| Profit margin | 16.08% | 21.91% |
| ROIC proxy | 17.21% | N/A |
| Return on equity | 17.21% | N/A |
| Dividend yield | 0.07% | N/A |
| Beta | 1.03 | 0.90 |
| Debt/equity | 47.99 | N/A |
| Current ratio | 2.92 | 3.52 |
| Quick ratio | 1.19 | 2.43 |
Lower drawdown and smaller single-period drops generally indicate a smoother ride, though they do not guarantee lower future risk.
| Period | Metric | HEI | TDG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Y | Growth | +8.44% | -6.09% |
| CAGR | +8.45% | -6.10% | |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.27 | -0.22 | |
| Max drawdown | 27.11% | 30.10% | |
| Max daily drop | 9.21% | 11.94% | |
| Max wkly drop | 9.54% | 13.55% | |
| 5Y | Growth | +145.75% | +122.88% |
| CAGR | +19.70% | +17.41% | |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.63 | 0.55 | |
| Max drawdown | 27.11% | 30.10% | |
| Max daily drop | 9.21% | 11.94% | |
| Max wkly drop | 11.77% | 16.63% | |
| 10Y | Growth | +915.03% | +660.59% |
| CAGR | +26.10% | +22.51% | |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.76 | 0.64 | |
| Max drawdown | 57.73% | 62.64% | |
| Max daily drop | 16.38% | 21.97% | |
| Max wkly drop | 31.86% | 46.82% |
| Category | HEI | TDG |
|---|---|---|
| Company | HEICO Corporation | TransDigm Group Incorporated |
| Sector | Industrials - Aerospace Components | Industrials |
| Industry | N/A | Aerospace & Defense |
| Core business | HEICO is a specialty aerospace components company known for manufacturing FAA-approved Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) parts at lower cost than original equipment manufacturers, serving airlines and MRO providers, alongside a defense electronics division. | TransDigm acquires and operates highly engineered, proprietary aerospace components with significant aftermarket content, using a value-based pricing strategy that captures maximum value from sole-source positions on aircraft platforms. |
| Investor focus | Investors track HEICO's organic revenue growth in flight support and electronic technologies segments, acquisition pipeline, and margins as the company continues acquiring niche aerospace businesses. | Investors track TransDigm's organic growth (historically driven by aftermarket price increases), acquisition pipeline, EBITDA margin expansion, and the company's high-leverage capital structure with frequent special dividends. |
- →FAA-approved PMA parts provide OEM-approved lower-cost alternatives that airlines adopt to reduce maintenance costs
- →Strong acquisition track record of acquiring niche aerospace and defense component businesses
- →Family-controlled management with long-term owner-operator mindset and disciplined capital deployment
- →Exceptional ability to acquire niche, sole-source aerospace components and apply value-based pricing discipline
- →Proprietary parts installed on aircraft create multi-decade aftermarket revenue streams as airlines must buy replacement parts
- →EBITDA margin profile is among the best in industrials, reflecting the pricing power of sole-source positions
- →PMA part approvals take time and regulatory effort, limiting near-term organic growth acceleration
- →Airlines adopting PMA parts reduce spending with OEMs like GE or Safran, creating some OEM push-back
- →Premium valuation reflects the quality franchise and growth track record that must be sustained
- →High leverage through significant acquisition-related debt creates financial risk in downturns
- →Pentagon scrutiny of TransDigm's pricing practices on government contracts has created regulatory and reputational risk
- →Acquisition-driven growth requires continuous deal flow at attractive prices in a competitive market for aerospace assets
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