Jacobs Solutions Inc. (J) vs Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL)

A side-by-side comparison of Jacobs Solutions Inc. and Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnJ vs STRL

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
J +270.8% (+14.0%/yr)STRL +7024.5% (+53.2%/yr)STRL compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $10020182020202220242026$371$7,124
J STRL

J vs STRL: by the numbers

  • J is the larger company ($16.75B vs $15.68B market cap).
  • STRL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (36.84 vs 49.77 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • STRL converts more revenue to profit (12.55% vs 2.35% net margin).
  • STRL grew revenue faster over the past five years (18.89% vs -2.38% CAGR).
  • J pays a dividend (1.00% yield), while STRL is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricJSTRL
P/E ratio49.7736.84
Forward P/E19.5525.81
P/S ratio1.184.56
P/B ratio5.1311.55
EV / EBITDA22.2521.79
FCF yield3.85%3.06%

Profitability

MetricJSTRL
Gross margin22.07%23.59%
Operating margin4.57%18.06%
Net margin2.35%12.55%
ROE10.25%31.79%
ROIC5.26%24.77%

Dividends

MetricJSTRL
Dividend yield1.00%N/A
Payout ratio49.12%N/A

Growth (annualized)

MetricJSTRL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-2.38%18.89%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-3.81%44.28%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-8.74%32.42%
Total return CAGR (5Y)5.96%86.00%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, J or STRL?
STRL has the lower trailing P/E: J trades at 49.77 and STRL at 36.84. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, J or STRL?
Over the past five years, STRL grew revenue faster — J at a -2.38% CAGR versus STRL at 18.89%.
Does J or STRL pay a bigger dividend?
J pays a dividend (1.00% yield), while STRL is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Is J or STRL more profitable?
STRL runs the higher net margin — J at 2.35% versus STRL at 12.55%.
How have J and STRL total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, J delivered 14.02% and STRL delivered 53.80% annualized total return. 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 September 11, 2026.