CARR vs ALLE vs MAS vs JCI vs TREX

For growth investors, Allegion plc (ALLE) is the stronger pick with 7.

8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -3. 4% for Masco Corporation (MAS). Allegion plc (ALLE) offers the better valuation at 18. 4x trailing P/E (15. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Carrier Global Corporation (CARR) a "Buy" — based on 26 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, Allegion plc (ALLE) is the cheapest at 18.

4x versus Johnson Controls International plc at 52. 9x. On forward P/E, Allegion plc is actually cheaper at 15. 6x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Allegion plc wins at 0. 92x versus Trex Company, Inc. 's 7. 16x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Johnson Controls International plc (JCI) delivered a total return of +122.

9%, compared to -64. 0% for Trex Company, Inc. (TREX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CARR returned +493. 6% versus ALLE's +127. 3%. 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), Allegion plc (ALLE) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

67β versus Trex Company, Inc. 's 1. 47β — meaning TREX is approximately 121% more volatile than ALLE relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Trex Company, Inc. (TREX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 22% versus 46% for Masco Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Allegion plc (ALLE) is pulling ahead at 7.

8% versus -3. 4% for Masco Corporation (MAS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Allegion plc grew EPS 9. 1% year-over-year, compared to -72. 4% for Carrier Global Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, CARR leads at 7. 9% 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.

Trex Company, Inc.

(TREX) is the more profitable company, earning 16. 2% net margin versus 6. 9% for Carrier Global Corporation — meaning it keeps 16. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: TREX leads at 22. 0% versus 9. 9% for CARR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ALLE leads at 45. 2%, 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, Allegion plc (ALLE) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 92x versus Trex Company, Inc. 's 7. 16x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Allegion plc (ALLE) trades at 15. 6x forward P/E versus 29. 4x for Johnson Controls International plc — 13. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ALLE: 26. 1% to $172. 50.

In this comparison, MAS (1.

7% yield), ALLE (1. 5% yield), CARR (1. 4% yield), JCI (1. 1% yield) pay a dividend. TREX does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

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

67), 1. 5% yield, +127. 3% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ALLE: +127. 3%, TREX: +239. 9%), 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.

CARR, ALLE, MAS, JCI pay a dividend while TREX 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.