Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL) vs Watsco, Inc. (WSO)
A side-by-side comparison of Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. and Watsco, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
STRL
Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.
$470.52IndustrialsDelayed quote: Aug 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
WSO
Watsco, Inc.
$310.76IndustrialsDelayed quote: Aug 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — STRL vs WSO
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10ySTRL +7457.8% (+54.1%/yr)WSO +178.8% (+10.8%/yr)STRL compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
STRL WSO
STRL vs WSO: by the numbers
- •STRL is the larger company ($14.44B vs $12.80B market cap).
- •WSO trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (26.83 vs 36.51 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •STRL converts more revenue to profit (12.55% vs 6.53% net margin).
- •STRL grew revenue faster over the past five years (18.89% vs 5.11% CAGR).
- •WSO pays a dividend (4.06% yield), while STRL is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | STRL | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 36.51 | 26.83 |
| Forward P/E | 25.58 | 25.72 |
| P/S ratio | 4.58 | 1.62 |
| P/B ratio | 11.61 | 3.95 |
| EV / EBITDA | 21.89 | 16.60 |
| FCF yield | 3.05% | 5.90% |
Profitability
| Metric | STRL | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 23.59% | 27.87% |
| Operating margin | 18.06% | 9.32% |
| Net margin | 12.55% | 6.53% |
| ROE | 31.79% | 15.89% |
| ROIC | 24.77% | 13.49% |
Dividends
| Metric | STRL | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | N/A | 4.06% |
| Payout ratio | N/A | 102.86% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | STRL | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 18.89% | 5.11% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 44.28% | 11.75% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 32.42% | 15.78% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 85.31% | 5.17% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, STRL or WSO?
- WSO has the lower trailing P/E: STRL trades at 36.51 and WSO at 26.83. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, STRL or WSO?
- Over the past five years, STRL grew revenue faster — STRL at a 18.89% CAGR versus WSO at 5.11%.
- Does STRL or WSO pay a bigger dividend?
- WSO pays a dividend (4.06% yield), while STRL is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
- Is STRL or WSO more profitable?
- STRL runs the higher net margin — STRL at 12.55% versus WSO at 6.53%.
- How have STRL and WSO total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, STRL delivered 54.60% and WSO delivered 11.18% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Sterling Infrastructure P/E ratioWatsco P/E ratioWatsco dividend yieldSterling Infrastructure ROEWatsco ROESterling Infrastructure operating marginWatsco operating marginSterling Infrastructure revenue growthWatsco revenue growthSterling Infrastructure free cash flowWatsco free cash flow
Sterling Infrastructure & Watsco appear in these rankings
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 August 28, 2026.