EPAC vs HLIO vs GTLS vs NDSN

For growth investors, Enerpac Tool Group Corp.

(EPAC) is the stronger pick with 4. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 2. 5% for Chart Industries, Inc. (GTLS). Enerpac Tool Group Corp. (EPAC) offers the better valuation at 20. 9x trailing P/E (18. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Helios Technologies, Inc. (HLIO) a "Buy" — based on 12 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, Enerpac Tool Group Corp.

(EPAC) is the cheapest at 20. 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: Enerpac Tool Group Corp. wins at 0. 11x versus Nordson Corporation's 1. 68x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Nordson Corporation (NDSN) delivered a total return of +42.

4%, compared to -8. 1% for Helios Technologies, Inc. (HLIO). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GTLS returned +772. 5% versus EPAC's +40. 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), Chart Industries, Inc.

(GTLS) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 56β versus Helios Technologies, Inc. 's 1. 56β — meaning HLIO is approximately 179% more volatile than GTLS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Helios Technologies, Inc. (HLIO) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 12% versus 111% for Chart Industries, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Enerpac Tool Group Corp.

(EPAC) is pulling ahead at 4. 6% versus 2. 5% for Chart Industries, Inc. (GTLS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Helios Technologies, Inc. grew EPS 23. 9% 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.

Nordson Corporation (NDSN) is the more profitable company, earning 17.

4% net margin versus 1. 0% for Chart Industries, Inc. — meaning it keeps 17. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NDSN leads at 25. 5% versus 7. 9% for HLIO. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NDSN leads at 55. 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, Enerpac Tool Group Corp. (EPAC) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 11x versus Nordson Corporation's 1. 68x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Chart Industries, Inc. (GTLS) trades at 16. 4x forward P/E versus 26. 9x for Helios Technologies, Inc. — 10. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for HLIO: 13. 3% to $77. 00.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Nordson Corporation (NDSN) offers the highest yield at 1. 1%, versus 0. 1% for Enerpac Tool Group Corp. (EPAC).

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%, EPAC: +40. 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.

Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

HLIO, NDSN pay a dividend while EPAC, GTLS 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.