Manufacturing - Tools & Accessories
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CVR vs MLI
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Manufacturing - Metal Fabrication
CVR vs MLI — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacturing - Tools & Accessories | Manufacturing - Metal Fabrication |
| Market Cap | $11M | $15.44B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $26M | $4.37B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-4M | $847M |
| Gross Margin | 8.3% | 27.8% |
| Operating Margin | -14.7% | 22.9% |
| Forward P/E | — | 17.2x |
| Total Debt | $0.00 | $46M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $2M | $1.37B |
CVR vs MLI — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Rivet & Mac… (CVR) | 100 | 57.5 | -42.5% |
| Mueller Industries,… (MLI) | 100 | 1039.1 | +939.1% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CVR vs MLI
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
CVR is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.97, yield 2.9%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.97, current ratio 5.67x
- Beta 0.97, yield 2.9%, current ratio 5.67x
MLI carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 10.9%, EPS growth 28.9%, 3Y rev CAGR 1.6%
- 8.4% 10Y total return vs CVR's -26.3%
- 10.9% revenue growth vs CVR's -14.3%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 10.9% revenue growth vs CVR's -14.3% | |
| Quality / Margins | 19.4% margin vs CVR's -13.6% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.97 vs MLI's 1.11 | |
| Dividends | 2.9% yield, vs MLI's 0.7% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +90.0% vs CVR's -4.8% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 23.9% ROA vs CVR's -14.7%, ROIC 44.7% vs -18.1% |
CVR vs MLI — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
CVR vs MLI — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MLI leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MLI is the larger business by revenue, generating $4.4B annually — 168.1x CVR's $26M. MLI is the more profitable business, keeping 19.4% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to CVR's -13.6%. On growth, MLI holds the edge at +19.3% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $26M | $4.4B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$3M | $1.1B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$4M | $847M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$2M | $652M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +8.3% | +27.8% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -14.7% | +22.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -13.6% | +19.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -6.1% | +14.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +5.6% | +19.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +104.7% | +55.4% |
Valuation Metrics
CVR leads this category, winning 3 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $11M | $15.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $9M | $14.1B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -1.94x | 20.28x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 17.19x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.50x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 14.65x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.40x | 3.69x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.54x | 6.12x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 22.48x |
Profitability & Efficiency
MLI leads this category, winning 6 of 7 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MLI delivers a 28.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $28 in annual profit, vs $-18 for CVR. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), MLI scores 6/9 vs CVR's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -17.7% | +28.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -14.7% | +23.9% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -18.1% | +44.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -21.9% | +32.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | — | 0.02x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$2M | -$1.3B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $2M | $1.4B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $0 | $46M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 13483.55x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
MLI leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in MLI five years ago would be worth $60,336 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $5,458 for CVR. Over the past 12 months, MLI leads with a +90.0% total return vs CVR's -4.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MLI at 55.8% vs CVR's -22.5% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -19.2% | +19.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -4.8% | +90.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -53.4% | +278.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -45.4% | +503.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -26.3% | +837.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -22.5% | +55.8% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — CVR and MLI each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CVR is the less volatile stock with a 0.97 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than MLI's 1.11 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. MLI currently trades 99.3% from its 52-week high vs CVR's 75.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.97x | 1.11x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $15.00 | $140.17 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $8.15 | $72.16 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +75.2% | +99.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 40.9 | 65.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 3K | 677K |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — CVR and MLI each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
For income investors, CVR offers the higher dividend yield at 2.93% vs MLI's 0.71%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | — |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 6 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.9% | +0.7% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 5 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.33 | $0.98 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +1.6% |
MLI leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). CVR leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 2 tied.
CVR vs MLI: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CVR or MLI a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Mueller Industries, Inc.
(MLI) is the stronger pick with 10. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -14. 3% for Chicago Rivet & Machine Co. (CVR). Mueller Industries, Inc. (MLI) offers the better valuation at 20. 3x trailing P/E (17. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Mueller Industries, Inc. (MLI) a "Hold" — based on 6 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.
02Which is the better long-term investment — CVR or MLI?
Over the past 5 years, Mueller Industries, Inc.
(MLI) delivered a total return of +503. 4%, compared to -45. 4% for Chicago Rivet & Machine Co. (CVR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MLI returned +837. 3% versus CVR's -26. 3%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — CVR or MLI?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Chicago Rivet & Machine Co.
(CVR) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 97β versus Mueller Industries, Inc. 's 1. 11β — meaning MLI is approximately 14% more volatile than CVR relative to the S&P 500.
04Which is growing faster — CVR or MLI?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Mueller Industries, Inc.
(MLI) is pulling ahead at 10. 9% versus -14. 3% for Chicago Rivet & Machine Co. (CVR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Mueller Industries, Inc. grew EPS 28. 9% year-over-year, compared to -27. 4% for Chicago Rivet & Machine Co.. Over a 3-year CAGR, MLI leads at 1. 6% 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.
05Which has better profit margins — CVR or MLI?
Mueller Industries, Inc.
(MLI) is the more profitable company, earning 18. 3% net margin versus -20. 8% for Chicago Rivet & Machine Co. — meaning it keeps 18. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MLI leads at 21. 4% versus -19. 1% for CVR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MLI leads at 27. 4%, 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.
06Which pays a better dividend — CVR or MLI?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Chicago Rivet & Machine Co. (CVR) offers the highest yield at 2. 9%, versus 0. 7% for Mueller Industries, Inc. (MLI).
07Is CVR or MLI better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Mueller Industries, Inc.
(MLI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 11), 0. 7% yield, +837. 3% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MLI: +837. 3%, CVR: -26. 3%), 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.
08What are the main differences between CVR and MLI?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
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.
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