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).

Compare

Total returnIEX vs STRL

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30y
IEX +3529.9%STRL +61237.1%STRL compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $100200120062011201620212026$3,630$61,337
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 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricIEXSTRL
P/E ratio32.7358.16
Forward P/E26.0134.42
P/S ratio4.667.00
P/B ratio4.0616.97
PEG ratio6.372.34
EV / EBITDA18.8134.46
FCF yield3.71%2.18%

Profitability

MetricIEXSTRL
Gross margin44.42%23.29%
Operating margin20.80%17.25%
Net margin14.38%12.02%
ROE12.54%29.14%
ROIC8.61%19.06%

Dividends

MetricIEXSTRL
Dividend yield1.29%
Payout ratio44.62%

Growth (annualized)

MetricIEXSTRL
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.

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.