AWX vs ASTE

For growth investors, Astec Industries, Inc.

(ASTE) is the stronger pick with 8. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -0. 3% for Avalon Holdings Corporation (AWX). Avalon Holdings Corporation (AWX) offers the better valuation at 30. 7x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Astec Industries, Inc. (ASTE) a "Buy" — based on 12 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, Avalon Holdings Corporation (AWX) is the cheapest at 30.

7x versus Astec Industries, Inc. at 31. 9x.

Over the past 5 years, Astec Industries, Inc.

(ASTE) delivered a total return of -17. 0%, compared to -39. 0% for Avalon Holdings Corporation (AWX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AWX returned +29. 7% versus ASTE's +22. 1%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Avalon Holdings Corporation (AWX) is the lower-risk stock at -0.

12β versus Astec Industries, Inc. 's 1. 63β — meaning ASTE is approximately -1457% more volatile than AWX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Astec Industries, Inc. (ASTE) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 47% versus 94% for Avalon Holdings Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Astec Industries, Inc.

(ASTE) is pulling ahead at 8. 1% versus -0. 3% for Avalon Holdings Corporation (AWX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Astec Industries, Inc. grew EPS 784. 2% year-over-year, compared to -75. 8% for Avalon Holdings Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, ASTE leads at 3. 4% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Astec Industries, Inc.

(ASTE) is the more profitable company, earning 2. 8% net margin versus 0. 4% for Avalon Holdings Corporation — meaning it keeps 2. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ASTE leads at 4. 6% versus 2. 4% for AWX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ASTE leads at 26. 5%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

In this comparison, ASTE (1.

0% yield) pays a dividend. AWX does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Avalon Holdings Corporation (AWX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0.

12)). Astec Industries, Inc. (ASTE) carries a higher beta of 1. 63 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (AWX: +29. 7%, ASTE: +22. 1%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

ASTE pays a dividend while AWX does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.