EFX vs TRU

For growth investors, TransUnion (TRU) is the stronger pick with 9.

4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 6. 9% for Equifax Inc. (EFX). TransUnion (TRU) offers the better valuation at 30. 5x trailing P/E (14. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Equifax Inc. (EFX) a "Buy" — based on 34 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, TransUnion (TRU) is the cheapest at 30.

5x versus Equifax Inc. at 32. 6x. On forward P/E, TransUnion is actually cheaper at 14. 8x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: TransUnion wins at 2. 78x versus Equifax Inc. 's 4. 33x.

Over the past 5 years, Equifax Inc.

(EFX) delivered a total return of -23. 5%, compared to -30. 7% for TransUnion (TRU). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: TRU returned +142. 8% versus EFX's +57. 7%. 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), Equifax Inc.

(EFX) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 87β versus TransUnion's 1. 36β — meaning TRU is approximately 57% more volatile than EFX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Equifax Inc. (EFX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 107% versus 113% for TransUnion — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), TransUnion (TRU) is pulling ahead at 9.

4% versus 6. 9% for Equifax Inc. (EFX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: TransUnion grew EPS 60. 0% year-over-year, compared to 9. 9% for Equifax Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, TRU leads at 7. 2% 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.

Equifax Inc.

(EFX) is the more profitable company, earning 10. 9% net margin versus 10. 0% for TransUnion — meaning it keeps 10. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: TRU leads at 18. 7% versus 18. 0% for EFX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — TRU leads at 59. 1%, 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, TransUnion (TRU) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 2. 78x versus Equifax Inc. 's 4. 33x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, TransUnion (TRU) trades at 14. 8x forward P/E versus 20. 1x for Equifax Inc. — 5. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for TRU: 34. 2% to $94. 88.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Equifax Inc. (EFX) offers the highest yield at 1. 1%, versus 0. 7% for TransUnion (TRU).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Equifax Inc.

(EFX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 87), 1. 1% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (EFX: +57. 7%, TRU: +142. 8%), 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.

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.