IDEX Corporation (IEX) vs Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL)
A side-by-side comparison of IDEX Corporation and Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 9, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
IEX
IDEX Corporation
$225.40IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 9, 2026, 1:30 PM EDT
STRL
Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.
$496.48IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 9, 2026, 1:30 PM EDT
Total return — IEX vs STRL
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yIEX +179.4% (+10.8%/yr)STRL +7686.0% (+54.6%/yr)STRL compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
IEX STRL
IEX vs STRL: by the numbers
- •IEX is the larger company ($16.62B vs $15.24B market cap).
- •IEX trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (32.47 vs 36.21 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •IEX converts more revenue to profit (14.49% vs 12.55% net margin).
- •STRL grew revenue faster over the past five years (18.89% vs 7.19% CAGR).
- •IEX pays a dividend (1.28% yield), while STRL is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | IEX | STRL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 32.47 | 36.21 |
| Forward P/E | 25.56 | 25.36 |
| P/S ratio | 4.67 | 4.54 |
| P/B ratio | 4.18 | 11.51 |
| EV / EBITDA | 18.82 | 21.71 |
| FCF yield | 3.83% | 3.08% |
Profitability
| Metric | IEX | STRL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.70% | 23.59% |
| Operating margin | 20.75% | 18.06% |
| Net margin | 14.49% | 12.55% |
| ROE | 12.96% | 31.79% |
| ROIC | 8.93% | 24.77% |
Dividends
| Metric | IEX | STRL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.28% | N/A |
| Payout ratio | 41.44% | N/A |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | IEX | STRL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 7.19% | 18.89% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 5.14% | 44.28% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 5.13% | 32.42% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 1.90% | 86.13% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, IEX or STRL?
- IEX has the lower trailing P/E: IEX trades at 32.47 and STRL at 36.21. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, IEX or STRL?
- Over the past five years, STRL grew revenue faster — IEX at a 7.19% CAGR versus STRL at 18.89%.
- Does IEX or STRL pay a bigger dividend?
- IEX pays a dividend (1.28% yield), while STRL is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
- Is IEX or STRL more profitable?
- IEX runs the higher net margin — IEX at 14.49% versus STRL at 12.55%.
- How have IEX and STRL total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, IEX delivered 10.62% and STRL delivered 53.54% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
IDEX P/E ratioSterling Infrastructure P/E ratioIDEX dividend yieldIDEX ROESterling Infrastructure ROEIDEX operating marginSterling Infrastructure operating marginIDEX revenue growthSterling Infrastructure revenue growthIDEX free cash flowSterling Infrastructure free cash flow
IDEX & Sterling Infrastructure appear in these rankings
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 September 9, 2026.