ATMU vs FELE vs GTLS vs REXR vs ESAB

For growth investors, Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.

(REXR) is the stronger pick with 7. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 2. 5% for Chart Industries, Inc. (GTLS). Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. (ATMU) offers the better valuation at 21. 9x trailing P/E (18. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. (ATMU) a "Buy" — based on 5 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, Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc.

(ATMU) is the cheapest at 21. 9x versus Chart Industries, Inc. at 628. 5x. On forward P/E, Chart Industries, Inc. is actually cheaper at 16. 4x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. wins at 2. 38x versus Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. 's 2. 80x.

Over the past 5 years, Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc.

(ATMU) delivered a total return of +155. 0%, compared to -21. 1% for Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. (REXR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GTLS returned +772. 5% versus ESAB's +107. 2%. 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), Chart Industries, Inc.

(GTLS) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 56β versus Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. 's 1. 34β — meaning ATMU is approximately 141% more volatile than GTLS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. (FELE) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 21% versus 151% for Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.

(REXR) is pulling ahead at 7. 1% versus 2. 5% for Chart Industries, Inc. (GTLS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. grew EPS 12. 6% year-over-year, compared to -92. 0% for Chart Industries, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, GTLS leads at 38. 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.

Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.

(REXR) is the more profitable company, earning 21. 1% net margin versus 1. 0% for Chart Industries, Inc. — meaning it keeps 21. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: REXR leads at 37. 9% versus 12. 7% for FELE. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — REXR leads at 77. 3%, 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, Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. (ATMU) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 2. 38x versus Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. 's 2. 80x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Chart Industries, Inc. (GTLS) trades at 16. 4x forward P/E versus 30. 8x for Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. — 14. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ESAB: 43. 2% to $146. 67.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. (REXR) offers the highest yield at 4. 9%, versus 0. 3% for Chart Industries, Inc. (GTLS).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Chart Industries, Inc.

(GTLS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 56), +772. 5% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (GTLS: +772. 5%, ATMU: +155. 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 (ATMU (Industrials) and FELE (Industrials) and GTLS (Industrials) and REXR (Real Estate) and ESAB (Industrials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: ATMU is a small-cap quality compounder stock; FELE is a small-cap quality compounder stock; GTLS is a small-cap quality compounder stock; REXR is a small-cap income-oriented stock; ESAB is a small-cap quality compounder stock. FELE, REXR pay a dividend while ATMU, GTLS, ESAB 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.