AVAV vs. PCAR: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 27, 2025

Here’s a clear look at AVAV and PCAR, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	AVAV	PCAR
Company Name	AeroVironment, Inc.	PACCAR Inc
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Aerospace & Defense	Machinery
Market Capitalization	12.04 billion USD	52.78 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqGS	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	January 23, 2007	March 17, 1980
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of AVAV and PCAR 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.

AVAV vs. PCAR: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	AVAV	PCAR
5-Day Price Return	2.54%	1.06%
13-Week Price Return	43.85%	6.55%
26-Week Price Return	51.82%	-6.25%
52-Week Price Return	31.05%	5.49%
Month-to-Date Return	-9.90%	1.77%
Year-to-Date Return	56.70%	-3.37%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.75M	2.17M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.12M	2.83M
3-Month Volatility	69.31%	24.40%
Beta	0.97	0.96

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

AVAV

5.06%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 43.89%
Q3: 22.42%
Median: 12.50%
Q1: 5.21%
Min: -6.24%

AVAV’s Return on Equity of 5.06% is in the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.

PCAR

16.81%

Machinery Industry

Max: 34.68%
Q3: 19.06%
Median: 13.13%
Q1: 8.53%
Min: -4.87%

PCAR’s Return on Equity of 16.81% is on par with the norm for the Machinery industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

AVAV vs. PCAR: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

AVAV

5.32%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 14.54%
Q3: 8.08%
Median: 6.17%
Q1: 2.49%
Min: -1.63%

AVAV’s Net Profit Margin of 5.32% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

PCAR

9.88%

Machinery Industry

Max: 19.74%
Q3: 11.24%
Median: 8.13%
Q1: 5.38%
Min: -1.11%

PCAR’s Net Profit Margin of 9.88% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Machinery industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

AVAV vs. PCAR: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

AVAV

4.97%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 16.63%
Q3: 10.38%
Median: 8.29%
Q1: 6.21%
Min: 0.95%

AVAV’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.97% is in the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

PCAR

14.86%

Machinery Industry

Max: 26.63%
Q3: 16.15%
Median: 11.27%
Q1: 7.72%
Min: -4.91%

PCAR’s Operating Profit Margin of 14.86% is around the midpoint for the Machinery industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

AVAV vs. PCAR: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	AVAV	PCAR
Return on Equity (TTM)	5.06%	16.81%
Return on Assets (TTM)	4.17%	7.08%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	5.32%	9.88%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	4.97%	14.86%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	38.83%	21.19%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

AVAV

3.52

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 3.09
Q3: 1.98
Median: 1.23
Q1: 1.03
Min: 0.02

AVAV’s Current Ratio of 3.52 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.

PCAR

1.64

Machinery Industry

Max: 3.83
Q3: 2.32
Median: 1.72
Q1: 1.28
Min: 0.78

PCAR’s Current Ratio of 1.64 aligns with the median group of the Machinery industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

AVAV vs. PCAR: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

AVAV

0.03

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 1.70
Q3: 1.04
Median: 0.68
Q1: 0.41
Min: 0.00

Falling into the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, AVAV’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.03 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

PCAR

0.84

Machinery Industry

Max: 1.49
Q3: 0.75
Median: 0.44
Q1: 0.26
Min: 0.00

PCAR’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Machinery industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.84. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

AVAV vs. PCAR: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

AVAV

20.72

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 36.57
Q3: 19.90
Median: 7.04
Q1: 2.40
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.

PCAR

27.70

Machinery Industry

Max: 67.55
Q3: 33.79
Median: 13.87
Q1: 7.97
Min: -1.43

PCAR’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 27.70 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Machinery industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

AVAV vs. PCAR: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	AVAV	PCAR
Current Ratio (MRQ)	3.52	1.64
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	2.52	1.24
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.03	0.84
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	20.72	27.70

Growth

Revenue Growth

AVAV vs. PCAR: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

AVAV vs. PCAR: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

AVAV

0.00%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 2.03%
Q3: 1.22%
Median: 0.43%
Q1: 0.00%
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.

PCAR

4.31%

Machinery Industry

Max: 5.32%
Q3: 2.84%
Median: 1.87%
Q1: 1.09%
Min: 0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 4.31%, PCAR offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Machinery industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

AVAV vs. PCAR: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

AVAV

0.00%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 83.87%
Q3: 49.90%
Median: 16.48%
Q1: 0.00%
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.

PCAR

72.73%

Machinery Industry

Max: 202.17%
Q3: 98.65%
Median: 55.54%
Q1: 29.03%
Min: 0.00%

PCAR’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 72.73% is within the typical range for the Machinery industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

AVAV vs. PCAR: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	AVAV	PCAR
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	4.31%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	72.73%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

AVAV

263.65

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 65.97
Q3: 54.11
Median: 34.53
Q1: 23.66
Min: 0.00

At 263.65, AVAV’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.

PCAR

16.89

Machinery Industry

Max: 53.66
Q3: 31.29
Median: 22.00
Q1: 16.18
Min: 7.00

PCAR’s P/E Ratio of 16.89 is within the middle range for the Machinery industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

AVAV vs. PCAR: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

AVAV

14.01

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 8.07
Q3: 4.49
Median: 2.42
Q1: 1.39
Min: 0.00

With a P/S Ratio of 14.01, 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.

PCAR

1.67

Machinery Industry

Max: 5.04
Q3: 2.72
Median: 1.67
Q1: 1.04
Min: 0.24

PCAR’s P/S Ratio of 1.67 aligns with the market consensus for the Machinery industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

AVAV vs. PCAR: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

AVAV

4.82

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 13.67
Q3: 7.92
Median: 4.65
Q1: 2.68
Min: 0.82

AVAV’s P/B Ratio of 4.82 is within the conventional range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

PCAR

2.63

Machinery Industry

Max: 7.23
Q3: 3.90
Median: 2.52
Q1: 1.47
Min: 0.49

PCAR’s P/B Ratio of 2.63 is within the conventional range for the Machinery industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

AVAV vs. PCAR: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	AVAV	PCAR
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	263.65	16.89
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	14.01	1.67
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	4.82	2.63
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	160.44	18.02