Axon vs. Woodward: Which Aerospace & Defense Stock Should You Bet On?

Core Insights - Axon Enterprise, Inc. and Woodward, Inc. are key players in the aerospace and defense equipment industry, benefiting from increased demand due to rising terrorism and criminal activities, as well as U.S. budgetary policies [2] Axon Enterprise, Inc. (AXON) - Axon is experiencing strong growth in its Connected Devices segment, with a 26% year-over-year revenue increase in the first nine months of 2025, driven by demand for TASER 10 products and the Axon Body 4 camera [3] - Revenues from the TASER product line rose 18% year over year, while Personal Sensors surged 24%, and Platform Solutions revenues soared 69% [4] - The Software & Services segment saw a 39.6% revenue increase in the first nine months of 2025, following a 33.4% jump in 2024 [5] - Axon is focusing on strategic collaborations, such as its partnership with TYTAN to enhance its Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems capabilities [6] - However, rising costs are a concern, with cost of sales and SG&A expenses increasing 28.4% and 39.7% year over year, respectively, leading to total operating expenses climbing 47% to $1.21 billion [7] - The company is facing increased debt levels, with long-term notes payable reaching $1.73 billion by the end of Q3 2025, up from zero at the end of 2024 [8] Woodward, Inc. (WWD) - Woodward's Aerospace business is gaining momentum, with a 19.6% year-over-year increase in net sales for Q4 fiscal 2025, driven by strength in commercial services and defense OEM [9] - The Industrial business segment is also performing well, benefiting from demand for power generation and data center support, with consolidated net sales expected to rise 7-12% in fiscal 2026 [11] - Woodward is committed to disciplined capital deployment, focusing on growth reinvestment, shareholder returns, and strategic acquisitions, including a new facility for the Airbus A350 program and the acquisition of Safran's Electronics & Defense business [12] - The company returned $238 million to shareholders in fiscal 2025 and announced a new three-year authorization for up to $1.8 billion in stock repurchases [13][14] - Woodward's shares have outperformed, with a projected EPS growth of 13.5% for 2025 and an increase in EPS estimates for fiscal 2026 and 2027 [18][20] Valuation Comparison - Woodward is trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 36.42X, while Axon's ratio is significantly higher at 73.29X, indicating a more attractive valuation for Woodward [20] Final Assessment - Axon's growth is hindered by rising costs and high debt levels, which may impact margins and performance, while Woodward's strong market position and growth prospects make it a more favorable investment option [22][23][24]