VSE Corporation research snapshot

VSEC AI Stock Analysis

VSEC AI stock analysis as of the August 3, 2026 data cutoff reads VSE Corporation as a fast-growing aviation aftermarket parts distribution and MRO platform whose stock trades at a demanding valuation. The analysis is not a certain price prediction. At the cutoff, the stock traded at $204.04 to $204.31, up 4.96% to 5.10% from the $194.39 close on July 31, carrying a market capitalization near $5.72 billion, computed as the $204.04 reading times 28.06 million shares outstanding and reported by StockAnalysis.com. Q1 2026 delivered revenue of $325 million up 27%, adjusted EBITDA of $55 million up 37% at a 17.1% margin, and adjusted EPS of $1.17, and management raised full-year 2026 guidance to revenue growth of 57% to 61% and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 18.1% to 18.5% after closing the Precision Aviation Group acquisition on May 5, 2026. The stock still trades at about 90x trailing GAAP earnings and about 44x to 47x forward adjusted earnings, so the core question is whether sustained growth can justify the multiple. This is informational research and not investment advice.

Current price

$204.04 to $204.31 on the August 3, 2026 intraday reading near 10:22 to 10:39 a.m. EDT, up 4.96% to 5.10% from the $194.39 July 31 close, after opening at $197.17

Market cap

$5.72 billion on StockAnalysis.com, computed as $5.73 billion from the $204.04 reading times 28.06 million shares

AI score

58 / 100

Rating

High-growth aerospace aftermarket platform at an elevated valuation

Trend status

Volatile uptrend: back above the 50-day and 200-day moving averages, but well below the July 6 all-time high of $240.56, with Q2 earnings due August 5

Data cutoff (updated monthly)

August 4, 2026

Informational use only. This page is not investment advice.

Research quality check

information Richness
B-level information richness. VSE has a long public history since 1959, SEC filings, and coverage from about 10 to 11 analysts including Morgan Stanley, Jefferies, Citi, RBC, B. Riley, and Deutsche Bank, but it is a small-cap with less media depth than large-cap peers. The August 3, 2026 full refresh re-fetched and re-validated the key figures: the $204.04 to $204.31 intraday reading, $5.72 billion market cap computed as $204.04 times 28.06 million shares, TTM revenue near $1.18 billion, Q1 2026 results, and the FY2026 consensus of about $1.77 billion revenue and $4.37 adjusted EPS, which matched across StockAnalysis.com and Barchart.
bias Check
The main AI bias risk is extrapolating the strong Q1 and the run to the July 6 all-time high of $240.56 into a durable trend while underweighting the drawdown and valuation risk. The stock fell about 23% from the $240.56 high to $184.98 on July 29, pierced its 200-day moving average near $191.93, then bounced back to about $204 ahead of the August 5 earnings report. The reverse check asks whether a forward multiple of roughly 44x to 47x adjusted earnings and short interest near 10.8% of shares create asymmetric downside if Q2 disappoints, and whether the August 3 rebound is confirmation or a lower-high retest. The page separates verified financials and chart levels from scenario-based forecasts.
ai Confidence
High for price, market cap, financials, and Q1 2026 results that cross-validated across StockAnalysis.com and Barchart, with the Q1 2026 earnings call as the primary source for adjusted figures and guidance. One caveat: the balance sheet data reflects March 31, 2026, before the May 5, 2026 PAG close, so current cash, debt, and leverage differ from the reported $1.24 billion cash and $402.5 million total debt. Medium for forward valuation because PAG contribution, integration synergies, organic growth, and the multiple can change quickly.
investment Certainty
Low-to-medium. The business has strong momentum and analysts see upside with a consensus price target near $257.56, but the stock is volatile and already prices in sustained growth, so the margin of safety is thin.

Quick verdict table

DimensionConclusionConfidence
Business qualityVSE provides aviation aftermarket parts distribution and MRO services for commercial, business, general aviation, rotorcraft, OEM, and defense customers. Q1 2026 revenue was $325 million up 27%, organic revenue grew about 15%, and engine aftermarket activity now represents more than half of total revenue.Medium-high
MoatThe moat comes from OEM-aligned distribution agreements such as the Pratt and Whitney Canada APU program spanning more than 2,500 SKUs, FAA and regulatory certifications, repair and DER capabilities, customer switching costs in mission-critical MRO, and scale in parts sourcing, but competitors such as HEICO, StandardAero, and AAR provide alternatives.Medium
ManagementCEO John Cuomo has led a transformation built on acquisitions, OEM program wins, and margin expansion. The PAG acquisition closed May 5, 2026, creating 61 locations across eight countries, and Q1 delivered record revenue and profitability with a raised 2026 guidance.Medium-high
Financial trendRevenue grew 41.5% in FY2025 to $1.11 billion and management guides FY2026 revenue growth of 57% to 61% with PAG included. Q1 2026 adjusted EBITDA rose 37% to $55 million at a 17.1% margin, and adjusted EPS was $1.17.Medium-high
ValuationThe stock trades at about 90x trailing GAAP earnings, about 44x to 47x forward adjusted earnings, about 4.6x sales, and about 2.1x book value. These multiples require sustained high growth, though the forward multiple is lower than the trailing one.Medium
Technical trendAfter a record high of $240.56 on July 6, VSEC fell to $184.98 on July 29, dipped below its 200-day moving average near $191.93, and rebounded to about $204 on August 3, back above the 50-day average near $199.33, with RSI around 51.55.Medium-high
Risk levelKey risks are valuation compression, aerospace cycle sensitivity including elevated fuel prices, heavy acquisition integration, customer concentration with an affiliated group near 20% of revenue, dilution from equity issuance for PAG, and the very high multiple creating asymmetry to the downside.Medium-high
AI confidenceHigh for descriptive facts and cross-checked math that matched across StockAnalysis.com and Barchart. Lower for forward return estimates because PAG integration, organic growth, and the multiple are uncertain.Medium-high data confidence
Investment certaintyLow-to-medium. The page gives a research framework and scenario ranges, not a buy or sell instruction.Low-to-medium

VSEC AI stock forecast

VSEC AI Stock Forecast Scenarios

The VSEC AI stock forecast uses scenario ranges around the $204.04 to $204.31 August 3, 2026 cutoff price and the FY2026 consensus of about $4.37 adjusted EPS. The stock already prices in strong execution, so the scenarios are wide. It does not claim that AI can predict a specific future price.

Bullish case

$260 to $300

More likely if organic growth stays in the high teens to 20% range, PAG synergies land faster than planned, adjusted EBITDA margins exceed 19%, engine aftermarket demand stays strong, and the market holds a 35x or higher forward multiple. This area matches the $260 to $280 analyst high targets.

Base case

$170 to $230

More likely if growth normalizes to the mid-teens, adjusted EBITDA margins reach the guided 18.1% to 18.5%, PAG integration proceeds on plan, and the forward multiple compresses toward 30x as the acquisition digests. The analyst consensus price target of $257.56 sits at the top of this range.

Bearish case

$110 to $150

More likely if aerospace aftermarket demand softens from fuel-driven pressure, an acquisition integrates poorly, organic growth slows toward low single digits, or the market compresses the multiple below 20x forward earnings.

VSEC AI technical analysis

VSEC AI Technical Analysis

VSEC AI technical analysis starts from the $204.04 to $204.31 August 3, 2026 intraday reading. The stock set an all-time high of $240.56 on July 6, 2026, fell about 23% to $184.98 on July 29, dipped below its 200-day moving average near $191.93, and rebounded to about $204 on August 3, ahead of Q2 earnings on August 5. Because this page does not fetch request-time market data, traders should confirm levels on a live chart before acting.

LevelValueWhy it matters
Current price$204.04 to $204.31StockAnalysis.com and Barchart real-time quotes near 10:22 to 10:39 a.m. EDT on August 3, 2026, up 4.96% to 5.10% from the $194.39 July 31 close, after opening at $197.17.
All-time high$240.56Record high reached July 6, 2026. The main overhead resistance on any sustained recovery.
Key resistance$205 to $210The 61.8% Fibonacci retracement of the $147.49 to $240.56 range sits near $205.01 on Barchart, with the $197 to $204 area as minor overhead after the August 3 rebound.
Near support$194 to $197The July 31 close of $194.39 and the 50% Fibonacci retracement near $194.02 form a first support zone on pullbacks.
Secondary support$183 to $190The July 29 intraday low of $183.20, the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement near $183.04, and Barchart support levels near $182.75 to $189.97 form the key demand zone that held the July selloff.
50-day moving average$199.33StockAnalysis.com reported the 50-day moving average near $199.33 on August 3, 2026. The stock rebounded back above it after dipping below during the July correction.
200-day moving average$191.93StockAnalysis.com reported the 200-day moving average near $191.93 on August 3, 2026. The stock closed below it at $184.98 on July 29 before recovering, so holding back above it is important for the long-term trend.
MomentumRSI near 51.55, neutralStockAnalysis.com reported 14-day RSI near 51.55 on August 3, 2026, neutral after the oversold July low. One-month performance was about -13.84% while the 52-week gain was about +36.85%.
Volume20-day average near 409,573 sharesStockAnalysis.com reported 20-day average volume near 409,573 shares. The July 8 selloff printed about 908,000 shares and the July 29 drop about 419,000, showing conviction during the drawdown.
VolatilityElevated near earningsBarchart reported implied volatility near 64.78% and historical volatility near 49.44% on August 3, 2026, with IV percentile near 89%, so position sizing should account for large swings around the August 5 earnings report.
InvalidationClose below $183, then below $175A decisive close below the $183 to $190 support zone would confirm a lower high and weaken the recovery. A break below $175 would challenge the longer-term uptrend structure.

VSEC AI trading strategy

VSEC AI Trading Strategy Framework

The VSEC AI trading strategy is a rules-based framework, not personalized advice. It combines business fundamental evidence, technical confirmation, position sizing, and clear invalidation levels, with Q2 2026 earnings scheduled for August 5, 2026.

Trend-following setup

Look for VSEC to hold above the 50-day moving average near $199.33 and to reclaim the $205 to $210 resistance area on improving volume after the August 3 rebound. A move above $210 with the 200-day near $191.93 still rising would suggest the July correction is over.

A daily close below the $183 to $190 support zone weakens the trend-following case. Respect position limits given the high absolute valuation and the upcoming earnings catalyst.

Mean-reversion setup

If VSEC re-tests the $194 to $197 zone or the $183 to $190 support without a fundamental thesis break, compare the price reaction with the August 5 earnings report, organic growth, and margin guidance before acting.

Do not average down solely because the stock is down from the all-time high. Define maximum loss and review valuation first, because high-multiple stocks can gap after earnings.

Fundamental monitor

Track Q2 2026 earnings on August 5, 2026, revenue growth, adjusted EBITDA margin progress toward 18.1% to 18.5%, PAG integration and synergies, organic growth, net leverage reduction toward below 2.5x, engine aftermarket demand, and customer concentration.

Lower confidence if organic growth slows meaningfully, integration drags, or the stock stays expensive while forward estimates drift lower.

Investment research summary

Four-master Research Compression

Business essence

VSE distributes aftermarket aviation parts and provides MRO and asset management services across commercial, business and general aviation, rotorcraft, OEM, and defense markets, with engine aftermarket activity now over half of total revenue and recurring demand tied to fleet utilization and age.

Moat

The moat rests on OEM-aligned distribution agreements, regulatory and repair certifications, DER and engineering capabilities, customer switching costs in mission-critical MRO, and distribution scale, but competitors like HEICO and StandardAero provide alternatives.

Munger risk inversion

The thesis can fail if aerospace aftermarket demand cycles down or fuel prices pressure flying, a large acquisition like PAG integrates poorly, the very high multiple compresses as growth normalizes, or customer concentration near 20% of revenue creates a concentrated revenue risk.

Management

CEO John Cuomo has led a transformation through OEM program wins, M&A, and margin expansion. The PAG close created a scaled 61-location platform, and management raised 2026 revenue and margin guidance while targeting adjusted EBITDA margins above 20% over time.

Industry trend

Aerospace aftermarket demand benefits from aging aircraft fleets, high fleet utilization, supply constraints, and growing engine teardown and repair activity. Management says it has not yet seen demand pullback from elevated fuel prices.

Valuation and margin of safety

At about 90x trailing GAAP earnings and about 44x to 47x forward adjusted earnings, the stock prices in aggressive growth. The margin of safety is thin unless organic growth, PAG synergies, and margin expansion all sustain for several years.

Source-backed data

VSEC Data Table

Every metric below includes a source and last verification date.

MetricValueSourceLast verified
VSEC price$204.04 to $204.31 on the August 3, 2026 intraday reading near 10:22 to 10:39 a.m. EDT, up 4.96% to 5.10% from the $194.39 July 31 close, after opening at $197.17StockAnalysis.com and Barchart real-time quotesAugust 3, 2026
Market capitalization$5.72 billion reported by StockAnalysis.com, computed as $5.73 billion from the $204.04 reading times 28.06 million shares via financial_rigor.pyStockAnalysis.com quote and share statistics; financial_rigor.py verificationAugust 3, 2026
TTM revenue$1.18 billion up 34.2%, versus FY2025 revenue of $1.11 billion up 41.5% from $786.26 millionStockAnalysis.com financialsAugust 3, 2026
Q1 2026 resultsRevenue of $325 million up 27% (distribution up 26%, MRO up 28%, organic up about 15%), adjusted EBITDA of $55 million up 37% at a 17.1% margin, adjusted net income of $33 million, and adjusted diluted EPS of $1.17VSE Q1 2026 earnings call transcript and earnings releaseMay 6, 2026
FY2026 guidanceRevenue growth of 57% to 61% with PAG included, adjusted EBITDA margin of 18.1% to 18.5%, net interest expense of $37 million to $40 million, D&A of $98 million to $103 million, effective tax rate near 25%, and capex of 2% to 2.5% of revenueVSE Q1 2026 earnings callMay 6, 2026
FY2026 and FY2027 consensusFY2026 consensus of about $1.77 billion revenue and $4.37 adjusted EPS, and FY2027 consensus of about $2.16 billion revenue and $5.68 adjusted EPS, cross-validated across StockAnalysis.com and BarchartStockAnalysis.com forecast page and Barchart earnings estimatesAugust 3, 2026
PAG acquisitionPrecision Aviation Group closed May 5, 2026, combining VSE and PAG into 61 locations across eight countries including 48 repair facilities and 11 distribution centers, funded with equity and new debt including a $900 million term loan B and a $500 million revolver, with pro forma adjusted net leverage estimated below 3x and a path to below 2.5x by year-endVSE Q1 2026 earnings call and PAG closing releaseMay 6, 2026
Balance sheet at March 31, 2026Cash and equivalents of about $1.24 billion, total debt of about $402.5 million including leases, equity of about $2.67 billion, and book value per share near $115.86; note this predates the May 5 PAG close, after which cash funded the acquisition and the new term loan added debtStockAnalysis.com balance sheetAugust 3, 2026
Valuation multiplesAbout 89.96x trailing GAAP PE, about 43.69x forward PE on StockAnalysis.com, about 46.69x computed as $204.04 divided by the $4.37 FY2026 consensus, about 4.62x sales, about 2.05x book, PEG near 2.10, and EV of about $4.62 billionStockAnalysis.com statistics and financial_rigor.py verificationAugust 3, 2026
Analyst consensusConsensus rating of Strong Buy across about 10 to 11 analysts with an average 12-month price target of $257.56, a low of $230, and a high of $280. Recent actions include Jefferies Buy at $260, Citi Buy at $263, B. Riley Buy at $270, RBC Outperform at $240, and Morgan Stanley Equal Weight at $230StockAnalysis.com forecast page and analyst newsAugust 3, 2026
52-week range and momentum52-week range of $147.49 to $240.56, 50-day moving average near $199.33, 200-day moving average near $191.93, RSI near 51.55, beta of 1.21, and 52-week price change of about +39%StockAnalysis.com statisticsAugust 3, 2026
Short interest and ownershipShort interest of about 3.04 million shares, about 10.83% of shares outstanding and 11.62% of float, with a short ratio near 5.38 days to cover; shares outstanding rose about 20% year over year to 28.06 million from equity issued for PAGStockAnalysis.com statisticsAugust 3, 2026
DividendAnnual dividend of $0.40 per share, a yield of about 0.21%, with the most recent quarterly dividend of $0.10 paid around July 15, 2026StockAnalysis.com statistics and VSE dividend releaseAugust 3, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

This VSEC AI stock analysis is an informational tool for research and education only. It is not investment advice, a recommendation, or a guarantee of future performance. Forecast ranges are scenarios based on available data as of August 3, 2026 and can be wrong.