Booz Allen Hamilton
BAH
$75.90
+0.29%
Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation is a technology and consulting firm that delivers artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud integration, data platforms, and engineering solutions primarily to U.S. federal government agencies, alongside commercial and select international clients. As one of the largest pure-play government services contractors, the firm is distinct for its deep incumbency across defense, intelligence, and civil agencies, with a contract mix heavily weighted toward cost-reimbursable work that provides revenue visibility but caps margin upside. The current investor narrative is dominated by a sharp divergence between the company's fundamental execution and its stock price: Booz Allen beat earnings expectations in its July 2026 report and trades at a steep discount to its historical valuation, yet the shares have been punished by concerns over federal budget scrutiny, contract recompetes, and a revenue decline in the most recent quarter. Bulls point to the Pentagon's aggressive pivot toward AI-driven autonomous systems and multi-decade programs like the Golden Dome missile shield as a long-term, high-margin revenue catalyst, while bears focus on decelerating top-line growth, elevated leverage, and a consensus analyst stance that remains decidedly neutral.…
BAH
Booz Allen Hamilton
$75.90
Related headlines
Investment Opinion: Should I buy BAH Today?
The synthesized recommendation is Hold. BAH presents a classic value-versus-deterioration debate: the stock trades at a deep discount to its historical valuation (forward PE of 11.29x vs. historical 15–20x) and offers a 2.87% dividend yield, but the recent 6.44% YoY revenue decline and neutral analyst consensus (mean 2.87) suggest caution. The average target price of $85.15 implies +12.2% upside, but the wide range ($68–$140) reflects low conviction.
Supporting evidence for a Hold includes: 1) Valuation is undemanding at 11.29x forward earnings and 0.86x sales, near multi-year lows; 2) Free cash flow of $951 million TTM supports the dividend and buybacks; 3) The balance sheet is leveraged (debt-to-equity 3.73) but liquidity is adequate (current ratio 1.78); 4) Analyst targets imply upside, but the consensus is neutral with recent downgrades from Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan. The stock's low beta (0.365) and defensive characteristics may appeal to income-oriented investors, but the revenue decline is a red flag.
The biggest risks that could invalidate the thesis are: 1) A continued revenue decline beyond the current 6.44% YoY drop, which would pressure margins and cash flow; 2) Failure to win key contract recompetes, leading to further top-line erosion; 3) A broader federal budget impasse that delays or cuts defense and AI spending. The rating would upgrade to Buy if revenue growth returns to positive territory or if the stock drops below $65 (implying a forward PE below 9x), and downgrade to Sell if revenue declines accelerate beyond 10% YoY or if free cash flow turns negative. Relative to its history and peers, BAH appears undervalued, but the market is pricing in legitimate concerns about earnings durability.
Sign up to view all
BAH 12-Month Price Forecast
BAH presents a balanced risk/reward profile. The stock is deeply undervalued relative to its history, trading at 11.29x forward earnings and 0.86x sales, but the revenue decline and margin pressure are real concerns. The analyst consensus is neutral, with a wide target range indicating low conviction. The low beta and defensive characteristics may appeal to risk-averse investors, but the lack of a clear catalyst for revenue growth keeps the stance neutral. An upgrade to bullish would require evidence of revenue stabilization or major contract wins; a downgrade to bearish would occur if revenue declines accelerate or free cash flow deteriorates.
Wall Street consensus
Most Wall Street analysts maintain a constructive view on Booz Allen Hamilton's 12-month outlook, with a consensus price target around $85.15 and implied upside of +12.2% versus the current price.
Average Target
$85.15
0 analysts
Implied Upside
+12.2%
vs. current price
Analyst Count
—
covering this stock
Price Range
$68 - $140
Analyst target range
Booz Allen is covered by 13 analysts with a consensus recommendation of "hold" and a recommendation mean of 2.87 (where 1 is Strong Buy and 5 is Strong Sell), indicating a neutral-to-cautious stance. The average target price is $85.15, which implies approximately +12.2% upside from the current price of $75.90. The consensus leans neutral rather than bullish, reflecting the tension between the stock's depressed valuation and the uncertain revenue outlook. Notably, the institutional ratings show a predominantly cautious tone: Goldman Sachs maintains a Sell, JP Morgan an Underweight, while Citigroup and Truist are Neutral and Stifel upgraded to Buy in May 2026 — a mixed but generally defensive posture.
The target range is exceptionally wide, from a low of $68.00 to a high of $140.00, a spread of $72.00 or 106% of the low target, which signals very high uncertainty and low conviction among analysts. The high target of $140.00 implies roughly +84.5% upside and would require a substantial re-rating driven by accelerating AI and defense contract awards, margin expansion, and a resolution of budget overhangs. The low target of $68.00 implies -10.4% downside and prices in continued revenue erosion, margin compression, and potential contract losses. The wide dispersion, combined with the recent downgrade activity (Goldman Sell, JP Morgan Underweight) and the Stifel upgrade to Buy, suggests the analyst community is deeply divided on whether the current discount represents value or a warning. With a short ratio of 4.45, there is also meaningful short interest that could fuel a squeeze if sentiment improves, but the low beta of 0.365 and the neutral consensus suggest the stock is likely to remain range-bound until clearer revenue catalysts emerge.
Bulls vs Bears: BAH Investment Factors
The bear case currently has stronger evidence, primarily due to the confirmed 6.44% YoY revenue decline and the structural margin cap from cost-reimbursable contracts. However, the bull case rests on a compelling valuation argument: at 11.29x forward earnings and 0.86x sales, BAH is priced for pessimism, and any stabilization in revenue or positive AI/defense contract news could trigger multiple expansion. The single most important tension is whether the revenue decline is a temporary budget-related pause or a structural erosion of BAH's contract base. If revenue returns to growth, the stock could re-rate toward its historical 15–20x PE; if the decline persists, the low multiple could prove to be a value trap.
Bullish
- Deep valuation discount to history: BAH trades at a forward PE of 11.29x versus a historical PE band of 11.5x–37.6x, placing it near multi-year lows. The PS ratio of 0.86x compares to historical PS ratios of 3.4x–7.0x, implying the market has priced in severe pessimism that may reverse if revenue stabilizes.
- Analyst target implies upside: The average analyst target price of $85.15 offers +12.2% upside from the current $75.90, with a high target of $140.00 implying +84.5% upside. Stifel upgraded to Buy in May 2026, suggesting some analysts see the risk/reward as favorable.
- Strong free cash flow generation: BAH generated $951 million in trailing twelve-month free cash flow, with quarterly FCF ranging from $96 million to $395 million. This cash generation supports the 2.87% dividend yield (32.4% payout ratio) and $77 million in quarterly buybacks.
- AI and defense spending catalysts: The Pentagon's aggressive pivot toward AI-driven autonomous systems and multi-decade programs like the Golden Dome missile shield could drive high-margin revenue for BAH. Recent news highlights the DoD's capital reallocation toward AI as a long-term revenue stream for integrated contractors.
Bearish
- Revenue decline accelerating: Most recent quarterly revenue of $2.783 billion declined 6.44% YoY, a sharp reversal from prior growth. The multi-quarter trend shows sequential softening, with Q3 FY2026 revenue of $2.620 billion being the weakest print, indicating the top-line contraction may be structural.
- High leverage constrains flexibility: Debt-to-equity of 3.73 and an equity multiplier of 6.70 reflect heavy reliance on debt. While ROE of 77.01% appears exceptional, it is inflated by leverage; ROA is a more modest 9.19%, and the high debt load limits financial flexibility if revenue continues to decline.
- Margin compression evident: Gross margin of 20.91% in the latest quarter reflects the cost-reimbursable contract mix, which caps operating leverage. Operating margin of 9.75% is thin for a consulting firm, and the heavy weighting toward cost-reimbursable work ($1.601 billion of $2.783 billion) structurally limits margin expansion.
- Neutral analyst consensus with downgrades: The consensus recommendation is 'hold' with a mean of 2.87, and recent actions include Goldman Sachs Sell and JP Morgan Underweight. The wide target range of $68–$140 (106% spread) signals low conviction and deep division among analysts.
BAH Technical Analysis
Booz Allen is in a sustained downtrend that has only recently shown signs of stabilization. The stock is down 26.91% over the past year and 10.59% year-to-date, a dramatic underperformance versus the S&P 500's +16.22% one-year and +12.08% YTD gains, producing a relative strength of -43.13% over twelve months. At the current price of $75.90, the stock sits at roughly 35.5% of its 52-week range (low of $59.50, high of $109.10), meaning it is trading in the lower third of its annual band — a positioning that reflects damaged momentum but also potential value if the fundamental narrative stabilizes. The max drawdown of -46.51% underscores how severe the de-rating has been, and the fact that price is 30.4% below the 52-week high confirms this is a recovery candidate rather than a momentum leader.
Short-term momentum is mixed and suggests the selling pressure is easing. The stock is down 3.19% over the past month and 1.95% over three months, both modest declines that are far less severe than the 26.91% one-year drawdown, indicating deceleration of the downtrend rather than acceleration. Notably, the 1-month relative strength of -2.13% versus SPY is a significant improvement from the -43.13% one-year figure, implying the stock has begun to close the performance gap. The daily price change of +0.29% and the recent bounce from the June low of $59.71 to the current $75.90 — a 27.1% recovery off the bottom — suggest buyers are stepping in around the $60-$65 zone, though the failure to reclaim the $80 level keeps the intermediate trend technically neutral at best.
Key technical levels are well-defined. Immediate support sits at the 52-week low of $59.50, with the June closing low of $59.71 reinforcing that zone as a critical floor; a breakdown below $59.50 would signal a resumption of the primary downtrend and likely target new lows. Resistance is anchored at the 52-week high of $109.10, but the more actionable near-term resistance is the $80-$85 area where the stock repeatedly stalled in April and August 2026. A breakout above $85 on volume would confirm a trend reversal and open the path toward the mid-$90s. The beta of 0.365 is unusually low, indicating the stock is roughly 64% less volatile than the broader market — a defensive characteristic that limits downside velocity but also means rallies may lack the explosive upside of higher-beta peers, which matters for position sizing and risk budgeting.
Beta
0.36
0.36x market volatility
Max Drawdown
-46.5%
Largest decline past year
52-Week Range
$60-$109
Price range past year
Annual Return
-26.9%
Cumulative gain past year
| Period | BAH Return | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 1m | -3.2% | -1.6% |
| 3m | -2.0% | +1.3% |
| 6m | -3.0% | +13.9% |
| 1y | -26.9% | +16.3% |
| ytd | -10.6% | +12.1% |
Bobby - Your AI Investment Partner
Get real-time data, AI-driven personalized investment analysis to make smarter investment decisions
BAH Fundamental Analysis
Booz Allen's revenue trajectory has turned negative, which is the central fundamental concern. The most recent quarter (ending 2026-03-31) reported revenue of $2.783 billion, a YoY decline of 6.44% — a notable reversal from the prior-year quarter's $2.975 billion. The multi-quarter trend shows sequential softening: revenue was $2.924 billion in Q1 FY2026, $2.890 billion in Q2, $2.620 billion in Q3, and $2.783 billion in Q4, with the Q3 figure representing the weakest print. The contract mix — $1.601 billion cost-reimbursable, $632 million time-and-materials, and $550 million fixed-price — is heavily weighted toward lower-margin cost-reimbursable work, which limits operating leverage. The revenue decline implies the investment case now hinges on whether federal AI and defense modernization spending can reaccelerate growth, rather than on the steady mid-single-digit expansion investors previously priced in.
Profitability remains solid but is under pressure. The company generated net income of $205 million in the most recent quarter on a net margin of 7.59%, with gross margin of 20.91% and operating margin of 9.75%. However, comparing across quarters reveals compression: gross margin was 51.9% in Q3 FY2026 and 53.6% in Q2 FY2026 on a different reporting basis, while the Q4 figure of 20.88% reflects the full-cost accounting presentation. Net income has been relatively stable — $205 million, $200 million, $175 million, and $269 million over the last four quarters — but the trailing EPS of $0.088 is alarmingly low relative to the quarterly diluted EPS of $1.69, suggesting significant one-time items or a data reconciliation issue. The operating margin of 9.75% is thin for a consulting firm and reflects the cost-plus nature of government contracting, where margins are structurally capped.
Balance sheet and cash flow metrics reveal a leveraged but cash-generative business. The debt-to-equity ratio of 3.73 is very high, and the company equity multiplier of 6.70 confirms heavy reliance on debt financing, though the current ratio of 1.78 and quick ratio of 1.78 indicate adequate short-term liquidity. Free cash flow on a trailing twelve-month basis is $951 million, with quarterly FCF ranging from $96 million to $395 million, and the most recent quarter delivered $212 million. ROE of 77.01% is exceptionally high but is inflated by the leveraged capital structure rather than superior returns on assets, as ROA is a more modest 9.19%. The dividend yield of 2.87% with a payout ratio of 32.4% is sustainable, and the company continues to return capital via buybacks ($77 million in the latest quarter) and dividends ($71 million), but the high debt load limits financial flexibility if revenue continues to decline.
Quarterly Revenue
$2.8B
2026-03
Revenue YoY Growth
-6.4%
YoY Comparison
Gross Margin
20.9%
Latest Quarter
Free Cash Flow
$951000000.0B
Last 12 Months
Revenue & Net Income Trends (2 Years)
Revenue Breakdown
Open an Account, get $2 TSLA now!
Valuation Analysis: Is BAH Overvalued?
Because Booz Allen is profitable — trailing net income is positive and trailing EPS is $0.088 — the PE ratio is the appropriate primary metric, though the extremely low trailing EPS makes the trailing PE of 11.29x less meaningful than the forward PE of 11.29x. The forward PE of 11.29x is based on estimated EPS of $7.40, which implies the market is pricing in a substantial earnings recovery from the current depressed trailing figure. The gap between the trailing and forward PE is effectively nil at 11.29x versus 11.29x, but the more telling signal is the forward PE of 11.29x against estimated EPS of $7.40 — a multiple that is remarkably low for a company with a 2.87% dividend yield and government-contract revenue visibility, suggesting the market is pricing in significant skepticism about earnings durability.
Relative to the broader Industrials and Consulting Services sector, Booz Allen screens as deeply discounted. The PS ratio of 0.86x and EV/Sales of 1.15x are low on an absolute basis, while the EV/EBITDA of 10.51x is modest for a services firm with recurring government revenue. The PB ratio of 8.70x appears elevated but is a function of the thin equity base from years of buybacks and leverage rather than a premium valuation. The PEG ratio of -2.22 is negative and therefore not meaningful given the earnings decline. Compared to typical consulting and government services peers that often trade at 15-20x forward earnings, Booz Allen's 11.29x forward PE represents a roughly 25-40% discount, which the market appears to justify through revenue decline, contract concentration risk, and leverage concerns.
Historically, Booz Allen has traded at a significant premium to its current multiple. The historical ratios data shows PE ratios ranging from 11.5x to 37.6x over the past several years, with the stock consistently above 17x for much of 2024 and 2025. The current PE of 11.29x is near the bottom of its multi-year band, and the PS ratio of 0.86x compares to historical PS ratios of 3.4x to 7.0x — a dramatic compression. This places the stock at or near historical valuation lows, which could signal either a compelling value opportunity if earnings stabilize, or a value trap if the revenue decline proves structural. The market is clearly pricing in pessimistic expectations, and any positive surprise on contract awards or AI-driven revenue could trigger meaningful multiple expansion.
PE
11.3x
Latest Quarter
vs. Historical
Low-End
5-Year PE Range 12x~38x
vs. Industry Avg
N/A
Industry PE ~N/A*
EV/EBITDA
10.5x
Enterprise Value Multiple
Investment Risk Disclosure
BAH faces significant financial and operational risks. The most recent quarter saw revenue decline 6.44% YoY to $2.783 billion, and the sequential trend shows softening from $2.924 billion in Q1 FY2026 to $2.620 billion in Q3. This top-line contraction, combined with a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.73 and an equity multiplier of 6.70, leaves little room for error. The contract mix is heavily weighted toward cost-reimbursable work ($1.601 billion of $2.783 billion), which structurally caps margins; operating margin is just 9.75%, and any further revenue decline could pressure profitability. Additionally, the trailing EPS of $0.088 is alarmingly low relative to quarterly diluted EPS of $1.69, suggesting potential one-time items or data reconciliation issues that warrant scrutiny.
Market and competitive risks are elevated. BAH trades at a forward PE of 11.29x, which is a discount to consulting peers (typically 15–20x), but this discount could persist or widen if revenue declines continue. The stock's beta of 0.365 indicates low correlation with the broader market, but its -43.13% one-year relative strength versus the S&P 500 highlights severe underperformance. Regulatory and budget risks are paramount: federal budget scrutiny and contract recompetes could lead to further revenue erosion. Recent news about the Pentagon's AI pivot and the Golden Dome missile shield presents opportunities, but competition from both traditional defense contractors and non-traditional tech firms could limit BAH's share of these programs.
The worst-case scenario involves a continuation of revenue declines, margin compression, and contract losses. If federal budget pressures intensify and BAH fails to win key recompetes, the stock could retest its 52-week low of $59.50, representing a -21.6% decline from the current price of $75.90. The analyst low target of $68.00 implies -10.4% downside, but a more severe scenario could see the stock fall to the June low of $59.71 or below. Given the max drawdown of -46.51%, investors could lose over 20% from current levels in a bear case, with potential for further downside if the revenue decline accelerates.
FAQ
The key risks for BAH are: 1) Financial risk: high debt-to-equity of 3.73 and a 6.44% YoY revenue decline could pressure cash flow and limit financial flexibility; 2) Competitive risk: loss of major contract recompetes to peers could accelerate revenue erosion; 3) Macro/regulatory risk: federal budget cuts or continuing resolutions could delay or reduce defense and AI spending; 4) Company-specific risk: margin compression from cost-reimbursable contracts (operating margin 9.75%) and potential dividend or buyback cuts if free cash flow declines. The most severe risk is a structural decline in federal spending, which could drive the stock below its 52-week low of $59.50.
Our 12-month forecast for BAH includes three scenarios: Bull case (25% probability) with a target range of $100–$140, driven by AI and defense contract wins and multiple expansion; Base case (55% probability) with a target range of $80–$90, assuming revenue stabilizes and the stock recovers toward the analyst average target of $85.15; Bear case (20% probability) with a target range of $59.50–$68, assuming revenue declines accelerate and the stock retests its 52-week low. The base case is most likely, hinging on revenue growth returning to low single digits. Key assumptions include no major contract losses and stable margins.
BAH appears undervalued relative to its own history and peers. The forward PE of 11.29x is near the bottom of its multi-year range (11.5x–37.6x), and the PS ratio of 0.86x compares to historical PS ratios of 3.4x–7.0x. The EV/EBITDA of 10.51x is modest for a services firm with recurring government revenue. Compared to consulting peers that often trade at 15–20x forward earnings, BAH trades at a 25–40% discount. However, this discount reflects legitimate concerns about revenue decline and leverage. The market is pricing in pessimistic expectations, and any positive surprise on contract awards or AI-driven revenue could trigger multiple expansion. Thus, while undervalued on metrics, the valuation may be justified by the deteriorating fundamentals.
BAH is a mixed proposition. On the positive side, it trades at a forward PE of 11.29x, near historical lows, and offers a 2.87% dividend yield with a sustainable 32.4% payout ratio. The average analyst target of $85.15 implies +12.2% upside, and free cash flow of $951 million TTM supports capital returns. However, the most recent quarter saw a 6.44% YoY revenue decline, and the analyst consensus is neutral with a mean of 2.87. The biggest downside risk is a retest of the 52-week low of $59.50, representing -21.6% from current levels. For value investors with a long-term horizon and tolerance for volatility, BAH could be a good buy on further weakness; for others, it may be prudent to wait for revenue stabilization.
BAH is more suitable for long-term investment than short-term trading. The stock has a low beta of 0.365, indicating low volatility, and offers a 2.87% dividend yield, which appeals to income-focused investors. However, the recent revenue decline and neutral analyst consensus suggest limited near-term catalysts. The stock is in a downtrend, down 26.91% over the past year, and may take time to recover. A suggested minimum holding period is 2–3 years to allow for potential revenue stabilization and multiple expansion. Short-term traders may find opportunities around earnings or contract announcements, but the low beta and wide analyst target range make it less ideal for momentum trading.

