HWM vs. J: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 8, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	HWM	J
Company Name	Howmet Aerospace Inc.	Jacobs Solutions Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Aerospace & Defense	Professional Services
Market Capitalization	73.39 billion USD	17.66 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	November 1, 2016	March 17, 1980
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of HWM and J 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	HWM	J
5-Day Price Return	-6.67%	2.69%
13-Week Price Return	16.39%	14.63%
26-Week Price Return	41.91%	5.79%
52-Week Price Return	98.89%	23.23%
Month-to-Date Return	-0.25%	2.35%
Year-to-Date Return	63.96%	8.67%
10-Day Avg. Volume	3.55M	0.83M
3-Month Avg. Volume	3.20M	0.79M
3-Month Volatility	27.79%	23.53%
Beta	1.47	0.82

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

HWM

29.58%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

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

In the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, HWM’s Return on Equity of 29.58% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

J

2.75%

Professional Services Industry

Max: 52.17%
Q3: 30.06%
Median: 22.21%
Q1: 11.67%
Min: -13.44%

J’s Return on Equity of 2.75% is in the lower quartile for the Professional Services industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.

HWM vs. J: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Professional Services industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

HWM

18.09%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

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

HWM’s Net Profit Margin of 18.09% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.

J

1.33%

Professional Services Industry

Max: 26.06%
Q3: 13.34%
Median: 7.88%
Q1: 3.50%
Min: -2.93%

Falling into the lower quartile for the Professional Services industry, J’s Net Profit Margin of 1.33% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

HWM vs. J: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Professional Services industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

HWM

24.28%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

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

HWM’s Operating Profit Margin of 24.28% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.

J

6.52%

Professional Services Industry

Max: 35.84%
Q3: 19.38%
Median: 12.54%
Q1: 7.36%
Min: -5.21%

J’s Operating Profit Margin of 6.52% is in the lower quartile for the Professional Services industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

HWM vs. J: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Professional Services industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	HWM	J
Return on Equity (TTM)	29.58%	2.75%
Return on Assets (TTM)	13.03%	1.06%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	18.09%	1.33%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	24.28%	6.52%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	32.69%	23.59%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

HWM

2.31

Aerospace & Defense Industry

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

HWM’s Current Ratio of 2.31 is in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

J

1.50

Professional Services Industry

Max: 2.45
Q3: 1.65
Median: 1.26
Q1: 1.10
Min: 0.47

J’s Current Ratio of 1.50 aligns with the median group of the Professional Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

HWM vs. J: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Professional Services industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

HWM

0.65

Aerospace & Defense Industry

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

HWM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.65 is typical for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

J

0.68

Professional Services Industry

Max: 2.63
Q3: 1.44
Median: 0.91
Q1: 0.49
Min: 0.00

J’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.68 is typical for the Professional Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

HWM vs. J: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Professional Services industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

HWM

7.92

Aerospace & Defense Industry

Max: 36.57
Q3: 19.90
Median: 7.04
Q1: 2.40
Min: -7.63

HWM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.92 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

J

6.77

Professional Services Industry

Max: 39.67
Q3: 20.05
Median: 11.07
Q1: 5.36
Min: -2.22

J’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.77 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Professional Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

HWM vs. J: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Professional Services industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	HWM	J
Current Ratio (MRQ)	2.31	1.50
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.91	1.45
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.65	0.68
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	7.92	6.77

Growth

Revenue Growth

HWM vs. J: 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

HWM vs. J: 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)

HWM

0.20%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

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

HWM’s Dividend Yield of 0.20% is consistent with its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

J

0.84%

Professional Services Industry

Max: 5.28%
Q3: 2.51%
Median: 1.63%
Q1: 0.62%
Min: 0.00%

J’s Dividend Yield of 0.84% is consistent with its peers in the Professional Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

HWM vs. J: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Professional Services industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

HWM

10.74%

Aerospace & Defense Industry

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

HWM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 10.74% is within the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

J

49.62%

Professional Services Industry

Max: 109.23%
Q3: 64.39%
Median: 47.00%
Q1: 20.35%
Min: 0.00%

J’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 49.62% is within the typical range for the Professional Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

HWM vs. J: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Professional Services industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	HWM	J
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.20%	0.84%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	10.74%	49.62%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

HWM

52.42

Aerospace & Defense Industry

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

HWM’s P/E Ratio of 52.42 is within the middle range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

J

131.17

Professional Services Industry

Max: 49.59
Q3: 36.59
Median: 28.13
Q1: 18.55
Min: 10.07

At 131.17, J’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Professional Services industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.

HWM vs. J: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Professional Services industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

HWM

9.48

Aerospace & Defense Industry

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

With a P/S Ratio of 9.48, HWM 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.

J

1.75

Professional Services Industry

Max: 9.54
Q3: 5.11
Median: 2.10
Q1: 0.75
Min: 0.11

J’s P/S Ratio of 1.75 aligns with the market consensus for the Professional Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

HWM vs. J: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Professional Services industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

HWM

14.90

Aerospace & Defense Industry

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

At 14.90, HWM’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Aerospace & Defense industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

J

3.84

Professional Services Industry

Max: 13.75
Q3: 8.87
Median: 4.35
Q1: 2.43
Min: 0.54

J’s P/B Ratio of 3.84 is within the conventional range for the Professional Services 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.

HWM vs. J: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Aerospace & Defense and Professional Services industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	HWM	J
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	52.42	131.17
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	9.48	1.75
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	14.90	3.84
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	71.93	25.18