FLR vs MTZ

For growth investors, MasTec, Inc.

(MTZ) is the stronger pick with 16. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -5. 0% for Fluor Corporation (FLR). MasTec, Inc. (MTZ) offers the better valuation at 81. 3x trailing P/E (48. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Fluor Corporation (FLR) a "Buy" — based on 28 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 forward P/E, Fluor Corporation is actually cheaper at 18.

5x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, MasTec, Inc.

(MTZ) delivered a total return of +270. 5%, compared to +107. 0% for Fluor Corporation (FLR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MTZ returned +1753% versus FLR's +5. 9%. 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), MasTec, Inc.

(MTZ) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 64β versus Fluor Corporation's 1. 90β — meaning FLR is approximately 16% more volatile than MTZ relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Fluor Corporation (FLR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 33% versus 84% for MasTec, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), MasTec, Inc.

(MTZ) is pulling ahead at 16. 2% versus -5. 0% for Fluor Corporation (FLR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: MasTec, Inc. grew EPS 146. 1% year-over-year, compared to -116. 2% for Fluor Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, MTZ leads at 13. 5% 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.

MasTec, Inc.

(MTZ) is the more profitable company, earning 2. 8% net margin versus -2. 3% for Fluor Corporation — meaning it keeps 2. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MTZ leads at 4. 6% versus -2. 4% for FLR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MTZ leads at 9. 6%, 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.

On forward earnings alone, Fluor Corporation (FLR) trades at 18.

5x forward P/E versus 48. 6x for MasTec, Inc. — 30. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for FLR: 9. 6% to $56. 00.

None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.

All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than 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). Fluor Corporation (FLR) carries a higher beta of 1. 90 — 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%, FLR: +5. 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.

In terms of investment character: FLR is a small-cap quality compounder stock; MTZ is a mid-cap high-growth stock. 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.