Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW) vs Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL)

CW leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Curtiss-Wright Corporation and Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 24, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — CW vs STRL

growth of $100 · last 30y
CW +11440.4%STRL +71280.0%STRL compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $100200120062011201620212026$11,540$71,380
CW STRL

CW vs STRL: by the numbers

  • CW is the larger company ($28.26B vs $27.38B market cap).
  • CW trades at the lower earnings multiple (56.01 vs 79.81 P/E).
  • CW converts more revenue to profit (14.17% vs 12.02% net margin).
  • STRL grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.81% vs 8.60% CAGR).
  • CW pays a dividend (0.13% yield) while STRL does not currently pay one.

Which is better, CW or STRL?

Metric tally: CW 9 · STRL 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueCW(lower P/E)
GrowthSTRL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualitySTRL(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCWSTRL
P/E ratio56.0179.81
Forward P/E44.8337.10
P/S ratio7.869.60
P/B ratio10.7723.28
PEG ratio1.942.34
EV / EBITDA35.6546.65
FCF yield2.08%1.59%

Profitability

MetricCWSTRL
Gross margin37.17%23.29%
Operating margin18.48%17.25%
Net margin14.17%12.02%
ROE19.42%29.14%
ROIC12.41%19.06%

Dividends

MetricCWSTRL
Dividend yield0.13%
Payout ratio7.57%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCWSTRL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)8.60%14.81%
EPS CAGR (5Y)21.79%44.28%
FCF CAGR (5Y)8.67%31.85%
Total return CAGR (5Y)45.19%109.90%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CW or STRL?
It depends on your goal. value: CW (lower P/E); growth: STRL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: STRL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CW leads 9 to 7.
Is CW or STRL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, CW is cheaper: CW trades at a 56.01 P/E and STRL at 79.81.
Which has grown faster, CW or STRL?
Over the past five years, STRL grew revenue faster — CW at a 8.60% CAGR versus STRL at 14.81%.
Does CW or STRL pay a bigger dividend?
CW pays a dividend (0.13% yield) while STRL does not currently pay one.
Is CW or STRL more profitable?
CW runs the higher net margin — CW at 14.17% versus STRL at 12.02%.
Which has been the better investment, CW or STRL?
Over the past 10-year, STRL delivered the higher annualized total return — CW at 25.17% versus STRL at 67.55%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 24, 2026.