Nordson Corporation (NDSN) vs Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL)

A side-by-side comparison of Nordson Corporation and Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnNDSN vs STRL

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30y
NDSN +3475.0%STRL +48947.2%STRL compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $100200120062011201620212026$3,575$49,047
NDSN STRL

NDSN vs STRL: by the numbers

  • NDSN is the larger company ($16.86B vs $16.51B market cap).
  • NDSN trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (31.74 vs 56.76 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • NDSN converts more revenue to profit (18.19% vs 12.02% net margin).
  • STRL grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.81% vs 5.59% CAGR).
  • NDSN pays a dividend (1.10% yield), while STRL is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricNDSNSTRL
P/E ratio31.7456.76
Forward P/E25.6433.59
P/S ratio5.756.83
P/B ratio5.2116.56
PEG ratio5.682.34
EV / EBITDA20.3033.62
FCF yield4.30%2.24%

Profitability

MetricNDSNSTRL
Gross margin55.11%23.29%
Operating margin26.37%17.25%
Net margin18.19%12.02%
ROE16.49%29.14%
ROIC10.68%19.06%

Dividends

MetricNDSNSTRL
Dividend yield1.10%N/A
Payout ratio38.32%N/A

Growth (annualized)

MetricNDSNSTRL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)5.59%14.81%
EPS CAGR (5Y)14.66%44.28%
FCF CAGR (5Y)8.01%31.85%
Total return CAGR (5Y)7.32%97.56%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, NDSN or STRL?
NDSN has the lower trailing P/E: NDSN trades at 31.74 and STRL at 56.76. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, NDSN or STRL?
Over the past five years, STRL grew revenue faster — NDSN at a 5.59% CAGR versus STRL at 14.81%.
Does NDSN or STRL pay a bigger dividend?
NDSN pays a dividend (1.10% yield), while STRL is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Is NDSN or STRL more profitable?
NDSN runs the higher net margin — NDSN at 18.19% versus STRL at 12.02%.
How have NDSN and STRL total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, NDSN delivered 14.04% and STRL delivered 60.07% 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 July 28, 2026.