Is MATX or PLPC cheaper?

On trailing earnings, MATX is cheaper: MATX trades at a 14.84 P/E and PLPC at 54.02.

Which has grown faster, MATX or PLPC?

Over the past five years, PLPC grew revenue faster — MATX at a 5.17% CAGR versus PLPC at 7.70%.

Does MATX or PLPC pay a bigger dividend?

MATX yields 0.71% and PLPC yields 0.22% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is MATX or PLPC more profitable?

MATX runs the higher net margin — MATX at 12.92% versus PLPC at 4.92%.

Which has been the better investment, MATX or PLPC?

Over the past 10-year, PLPC delivered the higher annualized total return — MATX at 21.90% versus PLPC at 25.90%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Matson, Inc. (MATX) vs Preformed Line Products Company (PLPC)

MATX leads on 14 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Matson, Inc. and Preformed Line Products Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Preformed Line Products Company

$1.84B

$375.42Industrials

Total return — MATX vs PLPC

growth of $100 · last 30y

MATX +1305.3%PLPC +2076.3%PLPC compounded faster

MATX PLPC

MATX vs PLPC: by the numbers

•MATX is the larger company ($6.11B vs $1.84B market cap).
•MATX trades at the lower earnings multiple (14.84 vs 54.02 P/E).
•MATX converts more revenue to profit (12.92% vs 4.92% net margin).
•PLPC grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.70% vs 5.17% CAGR).
•MATX pays the higher dividend yield (0.71% vs 0.22%).

Which is better, MATX or PLPC?

Metric tally: MATX 14 · PLPC 3

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueMATX(lower P/E)

GrowthPLPC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomeMATX(higher dividend yield)

QualityMATX(higher ROIC)

Valuation

Metric	MATX	PLPC
P/E ratio	14.84●	54.02
Forward P/E	14.44●	38.50
P/S ratio	1.86●	2.65
P/B ratio	2.26●	3.91
PEG ratio	0.58●	15.61
EV / EBITDA	8.66●	26.09
FCF yield	6.77%●	1.88%

Profitability

Metric	MATX	PLPC
Gross margin	22.42%	30.86%●
Operating margin	13.50%●	7.99%
Net margin	12.92%●	4.92%
ROE	15.72%●	7.24%
ROIC	8.85%●	7.78%

Dividends

Metric	MATX	PLPC
Dividend yield	0.71%●	0.22%
Payout ratio	10.26%	11.44%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	MATX	PLPC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	5.17%	7.70%●
EPS CAGR (5Y)	25.67%●	3.46%
FCF CAGR (5Y)	7.72%●	-0.67%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	27.18%	37.46%●

Frequently asked

Which is better, MATX or PLPC?: It depends on your goal. value: MATX (lower P/E); growth: PLPC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: MATX (higher dividend yield); quality: MATX (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MATX leads 14 to 3.
Is MATX or PLPC cheaper?: On trailing earnings, MATX is cheaper: MATX trades at a 14.84 P/E and PLPC at 54.02.
Which has grown faster, MATX or PLPC?: Over the past five years, PLPC grew revenue faster — MATX at a 5.17% CAGR versus PLPC at 7.70%.
Does MATX or PLPC pay a bigger dividend?: MATX yields 0.71% and PLPC yields 0.22% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is MATX or PLPC more profitable?: MATX runs the higher net margin — MATX at 12.92% versus PLPC at 4.92%.
Which has been the better investment, MATX or PLPC?: Over the past 10-year, PLPC delivered the higher annualized total return — MATX at 21.90% versus PLPC at 25.90%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full MATX analysis Full PLPC analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

Matson P/E ratio Preformed Line Products P/E ratio Matson dividend yield Preformed Line Products dividend yield Matson ROE Preformed Line Products ROE Matson operating margin Preformed Line Products operating margin Matson revenue growth Preformed Line Products revenue growth Matson free cash flow Preformed Line Products free cash flow

Matson & Preformed Line Products appear in these rankings

Highest FCF Yield Stocks Best 10-Year Total Return Stocks Lowest P/E Ratio Stocks

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 14, 2026.