Top Aerospace & Defense stock highlighted by B Riley

B Riley has spotlighted VSE Corporation as a leading investment opportunity in the Aerospace & Defense sector, following the company’s strong third-quarter performance and raised full-year guidance.

The firm maintains a Buy rating on VSE Corporation with a $265 price target, highlighting the stock as a May conference Best Idea. B Riley analysts believe recent market uncertainty and the pullback in shares present a long-term opportunity for investors.

VSE Corporation (VSEC)

VSE Corporation reported third-quarter results that significantly exceeded expectations, with revenue of $541.0 million and adjusted EBITDA of $107.2 million, representing year-over-year growth of 91.2% and 126.3%, respectively. These figures surpassed consensus estimates of $512.1 million in revenue and $98.7 million in EBITDA, as well as B Riley’s own projections of $503.1 million and $93.9 million.

The company achieved a record EBITDA margin of 19.8%, expanding approximately 310 basis points year-over-year. Organic growth accelerated to roughly 17% from 14% in the second quarter, driven primarily by the commercial engine aftermarket business. Management attributed most of the margin expansion to the core business, including engine mix, legacy acquisitions, and insourcing efforts, with the PAG acquisition contributing nearly half of the improvement.

VSE Corporation raised its full-year guidance, now projecting revenue growth of 65% to 66.5% and EBITDA margin of 18.9% to 19.1%. The company guided to lower sequential fourth-quarter revenue due to seasonality factors affecting PAG, Aero 3, and a repair-heavy mix, along with a challenging December 2025 comparison.

Management outlined a strategic goal to double proprietary solutions as a share of sales through both organic and acquired growth, noting that proprietary margins are in the mid-20% range. The company plans to provide multi-year guidance at its December 9 investor day. B Riley believes VSE Corporation’s proprietary, engine-heavy mix will prove resilient in a slower-growth macroeconomic environment.