FIX vs MTZ vs PWR vs WLDN

For growth investors, Comfort Systems USA, Inc.

(FIX) is the stronger pick with 29. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 16. 2% for MasTec, Inc. (MTZ). Willdan Group, Inc. (WLDN) offers the better valuation at 21. 3x trailing P/E (18. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (FIX) a "Buy" — based on 9 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, Willdan Group, Inc.

(WLDN) is the cheapest at 21. 3x versus Quanta Services, Inc. at 110. 4x. On forward P/E, Willdan Group, Inc. is actually cheaper at 18. 1x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Comfort Systems USA, Inc. wins at 0. 96x versus MasTec, Inc. 's 16. 37x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Comfort Systems USA, Inc.

(FIX) delivered a total return of +21. 4%, compared to +97. 0% for Willdan Group, Inc. (WLDN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: FIX returned +61. 6% versus WLDN's +581. 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), Quanta Services, Inc.

(PWR) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 30β versus Comfort Systems USA, Inc. 's 2. 19β — meaning FIX is approximately 68% more volatile than PWR relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Quanta Services, Inc. (PWR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 13% versus 84% for MasTec, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Comfort Systems USA, Inc.

(FIX) is pulling ahead at 29. 5% versus 16. 2% for MasTec, Inc. (MTZ). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: MasTec, Inc. grew EPS 146. 1% year-over-year, compared to 12. 8% for Quanta Services, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, FIX leads at 30. 0% 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.

Comfort Systems USA, Inc.

(FIX) is the more profitable company, earning 11. 2% net margin versus 2. 8% for MasTec, Inc. — meaning it keeps 11. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: FIX leads at 14. 4% versus 4. 6% for MTZ. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — WLDN leads at 37. 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, Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (FIX) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 96x versus MasTec, Inc. 's 16. 37x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Willdan Group, Inc. (WLDN) trades at 18. 1x forward P/E versus 57. 4x for Quanta Services, Inc. — 39. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for WLDN: 57. 8% to $117. 50.

In this comparison, FIX (0.

1% yield) pays a dividend. MTZ, PWR, WLDN do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, MasTec, Inc.

(MTZ) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+1753% 10Y return). Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (FIX) carries a higher beta of 2. 19 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (MTZ: +1753%, FIX: +61. 6%), 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.