STRS vs ALEX vs GRBK

For growth investors, Stratus Properties Inc.

(STRS) is the stronger pick with 213. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -12. 7% for Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. (ALEX). Green Brick Partners, Inc. (GRBK) offers the better valuation at 9. 3x trailing P/E (11. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Stratus Properties Inc. (STRS) a "Buy" — based on 1 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, Green Brick Partners, Inc.

(GRBK) is the cheapest at 9. 3x versus Stratus Properties Inc. at 124. 2x. On forward P/E, Green Brick Partners, Inc. is actually cheaper at 11. 0x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Green Brick Partners, Inc. wins at 0. 42x versus Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. 's 0. 49x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Green Brick Partners, Inc.

(GRBK) delivered a total return of +154. 1%, compared to +18. 1% for Stratus Properties Inc. (STRS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GRBK returned +742. 1% versus STRS's +49. 0%. 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), Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.

(ALEX) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 27β versus Green Brick Partners, Inc. 's 1. 06β — meaning GRBK is approximately 295% more volatile than ALEX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Green Brick Partners, Inc. (GRBK) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 17% versus 71% for Stratus Properties Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Stratus Properties Inc.

(STRS) is pulling ahead at 213. 7% versus -12. 7% for Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. (ALEX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Stratus Properties Inc. grew EPS 113. 0% year-over-year, compared to -16. 3% for Green Brick Partners, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, STRS leads at 24. 3% 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.

Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.

(ALEX) is the more profitable company, earning 31. 3% net margin versus 3. 6% for Stratus Properties Inc. — meaning it keeps 31. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ALEX leads at 32. 9% versus -4. 0% for STRS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ALEX leads at 46. 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Green Brick Partners, Inc. (GRBK) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 42x versus Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. 's 0. 49x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Green Brick Partners, Inc. (GRBK) trades at 11. 0x forward P/E versus 31. 1x for Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. — 20. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.

In this comparison, ALEX (4.

3% yield), STRS (0. 2% yield) pay a dividend. GRBK does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.

(ALEX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 27), 4. 3% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ALEX: +75. 5%, STRS: +49. 0%), 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (STRS (Real Estate) and ALEX (Real Estate) and GRBK (Consumer Cyclical)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: STRS is a small-cap high-growth stock; ALEX is a small-cap income-oriented stock; GRBK is a small-cap deep-value stock. ALEX pays a dividend while STRS, GRBK do 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.