Preformed Line Products Company (PLPC) vs Trinity Industries, Inc. (TRN)

TRN leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Preformed Line Products Company and Trinity Industries, Inc. 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).

Total return — PLPC vs TRN

growth of $100 · last 30y
PLPC +2108.4%TRN +335.6%PLPC compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$2,208$436
PLPC TRN

PLPC vs TRN: by the numbers

  • TRN is the larger company ($2.76B vs $1.84B market cap).
  • TRN trades at the lower earnings multiple (11.14 vs 54.02 P/E).
  • TRN converts more revenue to profit (12.37% vs 4.92% net margin).
  • PLPC grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.70% vs 3.77% CAGR).
  • TRN pays the higher dividend yield (3.51% vs 0.22%).

Which is better, PLPC or TRN?

Metric tally: PLPC 5 · TRN 11

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueTRN(lower P/E)
GrowthPLPC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeTRN(higher dividend yield)
QualityPLPC(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricPLPCTRN
P/E ratio54.0211.14
Forward P/E38.5014.95
P/S ratio2.651.38
P/B ratio3.912.64
PEG ratio15.610.10
EV / EBITDA26.098.46
FCF yield1.88%

Profitability

MetricPLPCTRN
Gross margin30.86%27.01%
Operating margin7.99%16.59%
Net margin4.92%12.37%
ROE7.24%23.66%
ROIC7.78%3.46%

Dividends

MetricPLPCTRN
Dividend yield0.22%3.51%
Payout ratio11.44%38.98%

Growth (annualized)

MetricPLPCTRN
Revenue CAGR (5Y)7.70%3.77%
EPS CAGR (5Y)3.46%19.40%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-0.67%-8.79%
Total return CAGR (5Y)37.46%7.19%

Frequently asked

Which is better, PLPC or TRN?
It depends on your goal. value: TRN (lower P/E); growth: PLPC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: TRN (higher dividend yield); quality: PLPC (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, TRN leads 11 to 5.
Is PLPC or TRN cheaper?
On trailing earnings, TRN is cheaper: PLPC trades at a 54.02 P/E and TRN at 11.14.
Which has grown faster, PLPC or TRN?
Over the past five years, PLPC grew revenue faster — PLPC at a 7.70% CAGR versus TRN at 3.77%.
Does PLPC or TRN pay a bigger dividend?
PLPC yields 0.22% and TRN yields 3.51% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is PLPC or TRN more profitable?
TRN runs the higher net margin — PLPC at 4.92% versus TRN at 12.37%.
Which has been the better investment, PLPC or TRN?
Over the past 10-year, PLPC delivered the higher annualized total return — PLPC at 25.90% versus TRN at 13.80%. 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 June 14, 2026.