AVAV vs. CSX: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AVAV and CSX, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | AVAV | CSX |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AeroVironment, Inc. | CSX Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Ground Transportation |
| Market Capitalization | 20.35 billion USD | 67.02 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | January 23, 2007 | November 3, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AVAV and CSX by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | AVAV | CSX |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 13.11% | 1.07% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 72.11% | 7.86% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 246.55% | 28.44% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 98.51% | 6.84% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 29.41% | 1.24% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 164.81% | 11.40% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.46M | 17.40M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.42M | 18.40M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 48.69% | 24.71% |
| Beta | 1.11 | 1.31 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
AVAV
-2.55%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 37.11%
- Q3
- 20.14%
- Median
- 11.72%
- Q1
- 6.30%
- Min
- -6.24%
AVAV has a negative Return on Equity of -2.55%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
CSX
24.83%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 23.35%
- Q3
- 13.74%
- Median
- 9.05%
- Q1
- 6.86%
- Min
- 1.73%
CSX’s Return on Equity of 24.83% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Ground Transportation industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
AVAV
-4.14%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 13.66%
- Q3
- 8.61%
- Median
- 6.59%
- Q1
- 4.92%
- Min
- 1.01%
AVAV has a negative Net Profit Margin of -4.14%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
CSX
21.91%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 32.19%
- Q3
- 17.08%
- Median
- 7.19%
- Q1
- 4.45%
- Min
- -5.54%
A Net Profit Margin of 21.91% places CSX in the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
AVAV
-4.75%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.35%
- Q3
- 12.83%
- Median
- 9.29%
- Q1
- 6.38%
- Min
- -2.15%
AVAV has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -4.75%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
CSX
33.80%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 42.90%
- Q3
- 23.80%
- Median
- 10.93%
- Q1
- 7.06%
- Min
- -12.94%
An Operating Profit Margin of 33.80% places CSX in the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AVAV | CSX |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -2.55% | 24.83% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -2.04% | 7.22% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -4.14% | 21.91% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -4.75% | 33.80% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 30.60% | 71.73% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
AVAV
5.96
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 3.35
- Q3
- 2.03
- Median
- 1.24
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.77
AVAV’s Current Ratio of 5.96 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
CSX
0.77
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.00
- Q3
- 1.31
- Median
- 0.98
- Q1
- 0.74
- Min
- 0.35
CSX’s Current Ratio of 0.77 aligns with the median group of the Ground Transportation industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
AVAV
0.16
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.72
- Q3
- 0.96
- Median
- 0.63
- Q1
- 0.37
- Min
- 0.03
Falling into the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, AVAV’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.16 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
CSX
1.55
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.51
- Q3
- 1.48
- Median
- 1.02
- Q1
- 0.48
- Min
- 0.00
CSX’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Ground Transportation industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.55. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
AVAV
20.72
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 36.57
- Q3
- 19.08
- Median
- 7.25
- Q1
- 2.65
- Min
- -7.63
AVAV’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 20.72 is in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
CSX
7.10
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 59.80
- Q3
- 25.78
- Median
- 8.23
- Q1
- 2.52
- Min
- -24.57
CSX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.10 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Ground Transportation industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AVAV | CSX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 5.96 | 0.77 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 4.98 | 0.63 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.16 | 1.55 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 20.72 | 7.10 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AVAV
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 2.72%
- Q3
- 1.45%
- Median
- 0.48%
- Q1
- 0.08%
- Min
- 0.00%
AVAV currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
CSX
1.42%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 5.29%
- Q3
- 2.57%
- Median
- 1.59%
- Q1
- 0.71%
- Min
- 0.00%
CSX’s Dividend Yield of 1.42% is consistent with its peers in the Ground Transportation industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
AVAV
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 110.40%
- Q3
- 50.43%
- Median
- 17.11%
- Q1
- 0.46%
- Min
- 0.00%
AVAV has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
CSX
30.63%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 149.12%
- Q3
- 75.08%
- Median
- 41.35%
- Q1
- 16.42%
- Min
- 0.00%
CSX’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 30.63% is within the typical range for the Ground Transportation industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AVAV | CSX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 1.42% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 30.63% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AVAV
--
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 67.20
- Q3
- 55.74
- Median
- 33.28
- Q1
- 27.49
- Min
- 15.02
P/E Ratio data for AVAV is currently unavailable.
CSX
21.60
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 39.04
- Q3
- 24.45
- Median
- 17.51
- Q1
- 12.92
- Min
- 5.87
CSX’s P/E Ratio of 21.60 is within the middle range for the Ground Transportation industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
AVAV
18.07
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 9.06
- Q3
- 4.87
- Median
- 2.47
- Q1
- 1.61
- Min
- 0.33
With a P/S Ratio of 18.07, AVAV trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
CSX
4.73
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.82
- Q3
- 2.22
- Median
- 1.41
- Q1
- 0.88
- Min
- 0.24
With a P/S Ratio of 4.73, CSX trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Ground Transportation industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
AVAV
3.02
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 14.90
- Q3
- 8.93
- Median
- 4.70
- Q1
- 3.03
- Min
- 0.83
AVAV’s P/B Ratio of 3.02 is in the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
CSX
4.95
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 5.27
- Q3
- 3.03
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.18
- Min
- 0.67
CSX’s P/B Ratio of 4.95 is in the upper tier for the Ground Transportation industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AVAV | CSX |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 21.60 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 18.07 | 4.73 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.02 | 4.95 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 273.80 | 24.87 |