IDEX Corporation (IEX) vs Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL)
IEX leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics.
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 July 21, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
IEX
IDEX Corporation
$221.24IndustrialsDelayed quote: Jul 20, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
STRL
Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.
$650.22IndustrialsDelayed quote: Jul 20, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — IEX vs STRL
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yIEX +3529.9%STRL +61237.1%STRL compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
IEX STRL
IEX vs STRL: by the numbers
- •STRL is the larger company ($19.95B vs $16.38B market cap).
- •IEX trades at the lower earnings multiple (32.73 vs 58.16 P/E).
- •IEX converts more revenue to profit (14.38% vs 12.02% net margin).
- •STRL grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.81% vs 7.94% CAGR).
- •IEX pays a dividend (1.29% yield) while STRL does not currently pay one.
Which is better, IEX or STRL?
Metric tally: IEX 9 · STRL 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueIEX(lower P/E)
GrowthSTRL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualitySTRL(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | IEX | STRL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 32.73● | 58.16 |
| Forward P/E | 26.01● | 34.42 |
| P/S ratio | 4.66● | 7.00 |
| P/B ratio | 4.06● | 16.97 |
| PEG ratio | 6.37 | 2.34● |
| EV / EBITDA | 18.81● | 34.46 |
| FCF yield | 3.71%● | 2.18% |
Profitability
| Metric | IEX | STRL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.42%● | 23.29% |
| Operating margin | 20.80%● | 17.25% |
| Net margin | 14.38%● | 12.02% |
| ROE | 12.54% | 29.14%● |
| ROIC | 8.61% | 19.06%● |
Dividends
| Metric | IEX | STRL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.29% | — |
| Payout ratio | 44.62% | — |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | IEX | STRL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 7.94% | 14.81%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 5.14% | 44.28%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 2.50% | 31.85%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 0.66% | 98.29%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, IEX or STRL?
- It depends on your goal. value: IEX (lower P/E); growth: STRL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: STRL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, IEX leads 9 to 7.
- Is IEX or STRL cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, IEX is cheaper: IEX trades at a 32.73 P/E and STRL at 58.16.
- Which has grown faster, IEX or STRL?
- Over the past five years, STRL grew revenue faster — IEX at a 7.94% CAGR versus STRL at 14.81%.
- Does IEX or STRL pay a bigger dividend?
- IEX pays a dividend (1.29% yield) while STRL does not currently pay one.
- Is IEX or STRL more profitable?
- IEX runs the higher net margin — IEX at 14.38% versus STRL at 12.02%.
- Which has been the better investment, IEX or STRL?
- Over the past 10-year, STRL delivered the higher annualized total return — IEX at 11.01% versus STRL at 60.80%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
IDEX P/E ratioSterling Infrastructure P/E ratioIDEX dividend yieldSterling Infrastructure 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 July 21, 2026.