GHM vs PRIM vs PWR vs GTLS

For growth investors, Quanta Services, Inc.

(PWR) is the stronger pick with 19. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 2. 5% for Chart Industries, Inc. (GTLS). Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) offers the better valuation at 20. 9x trailing P/E (20. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) a "Buy" — based on 23 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, Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) is the cheapest at 20.

9x versus Chart Industries, Inc. at 628. 6x. 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: Primoris Services Corporation wins at 1. 10x versus Quanta Services, Inc. 's 3. 10x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.

Over the past 5 years, Quanta Services, Inc.

(PWR) delivered a total return of +642. 0%, compared to +40. 6% for Chart Industries, Inc. (GTLS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PWR returned +31. 2% versus PRIM's +387. 5%. 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. 49β versus Graham Corporation's 2. 21β — meaning GHM is approximately 348% more volatile than GTLS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Graham Corporation (GHM) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 6% versus 111% for Chart Industries, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Quanta Services, Inc.

(PWR) is pulling ahead at 19. 8% versus 2. 5% for Chart Industries, Inc. (GTLS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Graham Corporation grew EPS 164. 3% 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.

Graham Corporation (GHM) is the more profitable company, earning 5.

8% net margin versus 1. 0% for Chart Industries, Inc. — meaning it keeps 5. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: GTLS leads at 15. 2% versus 5. 5% for PRIM. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — GTLS leads at 29. 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, Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 10x versus Quanta Services, Inc. 's 3. 10x. A PEG below 1. 5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, Chart Industries, Inc. (GTLS) trades at 16. 4x forward P/E versus 80. 6x for Graham Corporation — 64. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for PRIM: 57. 1% to $164. 63.

In this comparison, PRIM (0.

3% yield), GTLS (0. 3% yield) pay a dividend. GHM, PWR do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

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. 49), +772. 7% 10Y return). Graham Corporation (GHM) carries a higher beta of 2. 21 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (GTLS: +772. 7%, GHM: +445. 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.

In terms of investment character: GHM is a small-cap quality compounder stock; PRIM is a small-cap high-growth stock; PWR is a mid-cap high-growth stock; GTLS is a small-cap quality compounder 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.