Electro Optic Systems vs Droneshield shares: a side-by-side look

If you’re weighing up Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS) and Droneshield Ltd (ASX: DRO), you’re looking at two Australian tech innovators focused on defence and security. Both are riding the growing demand for anti-drone and advanced surveillance solutions. But which is the smarter buy for ASX investors right now? I’ll dig into their fundamentals, price action, and business models to help you decide.

The case for Electro Optic Systems

Electro Optic Systems is a homegrown Australian company developing high-tech defence hardware and systems. Its offerings span from remote weapon stations (where EOS has built a strong reputation globally), to counter-drone measures like the Slinger, advanced laser weaponry, and satellite-based intelligence systems. EOS has matured from a niche technology player into a diversified business, supporting both military and commercial applications.

Key fundamentals that catch my eye:

• Market Cap: $2.29 billion – Not a giant, but very substantial for an Aussie defence tech specialist.
• P/E Ratio: 11.91 – That stands out as undeniably low in the context of growth-focused peers, although I do note that the listed EPS of -0.327 doesn’t square with a positive P/E ratio. (Note: EOS’s reported P/E ratio may be based on a different earnings measure, such as underlying or forward earnings, which explains this inconsistency.)
• Dividend Yield: 0.00% – There’s no income stream here, so this is strictly a growth-focused investment.

Overall, EOS offers scale, technical depth, and exposure to several key segments within global defence and security tech.

The case for Droneshield

Droneshield is laser-focused on anti-drone technologies. According to its most recent company description, it makes and sells both hardware and AI-powered software to detect, counter, and neutralise unauthorised drones—a market that’s only getting hotter as more drones enter commercial and criminal airspace. Its flagship products, like the DroneGun and DroneSentry, are used by governments, airports, prisons, and other major operators in Australia, the US, and the UK.

Notable figures:

• Market Cap: $1.59 billion – Impressive, though smaller than EOS, and highlighting strong investor interest for a relatively focused business.
• P/E Ratio: 433.75 – Exceptionally high, reflecting investor speculation on future profit growth rather than current profits. However, its reported EPS is -0.033, meaning the P/E is once again likely based on a forward or adjusted earnings figure. (Note: Droneshield’s reported P/E ratio may use a different earnings measure than the EPS shown.)
• Dividend Yield: 0.00% – Like EOS, Droneshield is all about growth, not income.

Droneshield’s pure-play approach in a rapidly evolving niche could pay off—if it delivers on its growth ambitions.

Valuation comparison

Here’s how the head-to-head fundamentals shape up:

Metric	Electro Optic Systems	Droneshield
Market Cap	$2.29 billion	$1.59 billion
P/E Ratio	11.91	433.75
Dividend Yield	0.00%	0.00%
Earnings per share (EPS)	-0.327	-0.033
Year To Date Return	9.5%	-44.2%

It’s striking that EOS trades on a far lower P/E than Droneshield, despite negative EPS for both. Again, the P/E figures are likely based on different profit measures, so I wouldn’t take them at face value for apples-to-apples comparisons. Neither pays a dividend, so both are pure growth stories.

Recent share price performance

Comparing the period from 24 August to 18 September 2026:

• Electro Optic Systems climbed from $8.60 to $10.34—a notable upswing, including single-day pops like a 23% jump on 25 August and a recent 3.4% gain to finish the period.
• Droneshield fell from $1.82 to $1.72, with particularly sharp drops such as a 10.8% slip on 26 August and some flat trading days, closing out the period with a small loss.

Looking at year-to-date figures, EOS is up 9.5% while Droneshield is down a pretty chunky 44.2%. That’s a huge divergence in momentum, especially given the “hot” narrative around anti-drone tech lately.

Which is the better buy?

For me, Electro Optic Systems is the standout right now. Here’s why: despite both companies being unprofitable on a trailing basis, EOS trades at a fraction of the P/E multiple and is showing positive share price momentum—up nearly 10% year-to-date, versus Droneshield’s 44% slide. Both are zero-yielders, so you’re really buying the quality of future growth and execution.

Droneshield’s sector is objectively exciting, but its sky-high valuation and recent poor share performance give me pause. EOS, on the other hand, is better diversified across product areas and already enjoys global scale, with a market cap advantage and much stronger recent returns. Unless you strongly favour Droneshield’s focused anti-drone niche (and are unfazed by short-term losses and a massive P/E), my pick would be Electro Optic Systems.

The post Electro Optic Systems vs Droneshield: Which ASX defence share wins? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield and Electro Optic Systems. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial draft. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

The Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) share price has soared almost 40% in the past year, as the chart below shows.

Woolworths had a solid FY26, which investors were expecting and now we’re a few weeks into FY27.

We’re going to look at what drove the company in FY26 and whether expert analysts think the business is undervalued.

Solid turnaround in FY26

The business had been losing out to Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) in recent times, but seemed to have turned things around in the FY26 result.

Woolworths reported in the 2026 financial year that total sales grew 3.6% to $71.5 billion, underlying operating profit (EBITDA) grew 6.7% to $6.1 billion, underlying EBIT climbed 12.7% to $3.1 billion, and underlying net profit rose 15.4% to $1.6 billion.  Statutory net profit increased 18.1% to $1.1 billion.

Pleasingly, every operating division reported a rise in EBIT during FY26. Australian food grew EBIT by 8.5% to $1.95 billion, New Zealand food grew EBIT by 8.8% to NZ$163 million, the Australian business-to-business (B2B) segment grew EBIT by 13% to $155 million and the W Living division saw a $147 million improvement in EBIT from a loss to a $116 million profit.

A sizeable portion of the increase for the Australian food segment was due to the prior year having industrial action and supply chain implementation costs. Without those two elements, Australian food EBIT would have risen 4.8%, which is still solid growth.

It’s also pleasing to see strong progress at New Zealand food and the Australian B2B division. The B2B segment is benefiting from improved profitability in PFD and improved cost efficiencies.

Strong outlook

FY27 started strongly for the business, with Australian food total sales increasing by 7.6% for the first eight weeks of FY27.

It said that sales momentum was further strengthened during the period by the success of its Disney Ooshies collectibles event, which Woolworths suggested added between 1.5 to 2 percentage points of additional sales growth.

New Zealand food total sales increased by 4.2% for the first eight weeks with improved momentum compared to the fourth quarter, reflecting “some benefit” from Disney Ooshies.

However, BIG W total sales for the first eight weeks declined year-over-year modestly, amid cost-of-living pressures on households, particularly budget customers, and weaker trade in the everyday business.

Is the Woolworths share price a buy?

Analysts are mixed on the business – there have been 12 analyst ratings on the company in the last three months. Two of those analyst ratings were a buy, six were a hold and four were a sell.

The average price target is $39.46, suggesting a possible rise of around 4% in the year ahead.

Therefore, analysts aren’t excited by the valuation, so it could be wise to look at other ASX share ideas.

The post Is the Woolworths share price a buy in September? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

I won’t be able to access my superannuation for a few years yet.

But when I can, I plan to invest $50,000 of my super balance into three distinct ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs).

I also plan to invest some of my superannuation into a diverse basket of ASX growth shares and ASX passive income stocks.

But I believe the below three ASX ETFs provide a simple means to invest $50,000 into a very diversified collection of quality global and Aussie companies.

So, which ETFs am I eyeing?

Three ASX ETFs I’d buy with $50,000 of superannuation

First up, and as an Australian, I’d invest part of that $50,000 in superannuation in the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS).

With a management fee of 0.07% per year, this ASX ETF gives you immediate exposure to the 300 companies listed on the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO). VAS seeks to track the return of the ASX 300 Index and provide both long-term capital growth and some passive income.

The ETF’s top three holdings are BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) shares.

As at 31 August, Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF has delivered a total five-year return (including reinvested dividends) of 44%. That equates to an annualised return of around 7.6%.

Which brings us to the second ASX ETF I’d invest part of my $50,000 of superannuation in, the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ).

I believe the tremendous outperformance we’ve seen from the US tech giants, while it may retrace short term, will continue apace over the longer-term, fuelled by the AI revolution.

With an annual management fee of 0.48%, NDQ aims to track the performance of the Nasdaq 100 Index. In other words, the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq, most of which have direct connections to the new economy.

The ETF’s largest holdings are Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA), Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT).

As at 18 September, over the past five years NDQ has returned an annualised gain of 14.2%.

And the third ASX ETF I’d buy with some of my $50,000 in superannuation is the Vanguard All-World ex-US Shares Index ETF (ASX: VEU).

This third investment, as you can likely tell from its name, will materially help diversify my retirement portfolio. And the management fee is a low 0.04% per year.

VEU offers exposure to some of the world’s largest companies that are listed in major developed and emerging countries outside the United States.

Its top three holdings are Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TPE: 2330), Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (KRX: 005930) and SK Hynix Inc (KRX: 000660).

As at 31 August, the Vanguard All-World ex-US Shares Index ETF has delivered a total five-year return of 61.4%. That equates to an annualised return of approximately 10.0%.

Based on historical five-year returns, if I invest an equal portion of my $50,000 superannuation in each ASX ETF, I can expect an annual return of 10.6%.

The post Why I’d invest $50,000 of superannuation into these 3 top ASX ETFs appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Vanguard International Equity Index Funds – Vanguard Ftse All-World ex-US ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.