IDA vs NWPX

For growth investors, NWPX Infrastructure, Inc.

(NWPX) is the stronger pick with 6. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -0. 7% for IDACORP, Inc. (IDA). IDACORP, Inc. (IDA) offers the better valuation at 24. 3x trailing P/E (22. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate IDACORP, Inc. (IDA) a "Buy" — based on 13 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, IDACORP, Inc.

(IDA) is the cheapest at 24. 3x versus NWPX Infrastructure, Inc. at 30. 8x. On forward P/E, IDACORP, Inc. is actually cheaper at 22. 5x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: NWPX Infrastructure, Inc. wins at 1. 98x versus IDACORP, Inc. 's 4. 79x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.

Over the past 5 years, NWPX Infrastructure, Inc.

(NWPX) delivered a total return of +238. 0%, compared to +54. 4% for IDACORP, Inc. (IDA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NWPX returned +1040% versus IDA's +132. 6%. 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), IDACORP, Inc.

(IDA) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 15β versus NWPX Infrastructure, Inc. 's 1. 29β — meaning NWPX is approximately 788% more volatile than IDA relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, NWPX Infrastructure, Inc. (NWPX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 26% versus 102% for IDACORP, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), NWPX Infrastructure, Inc.

(NWPX) is pulling ahead at 6. 8% versus -0. 7% for IDACORP, Inc. (IDA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: IDACORP, Inc. grew EPS 7. 3% year-over-year, compared to 4. 7% for NWPX Infrastructure, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, NWPX leads at 4. 8% 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.

IDACORP, Inc.

(IDA) is the more profitable company, earning 17. 8% net margin versus 6. 7% for NWPX Infrastructure, Inc. — meaning it keeps 17. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: IDA leads at 21. 9% versus 9. 7% for NWPX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — IDA leads at 22. 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, NWPX Infrastructure, Inc. (NWPX) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 98x versus IDACORP, Inc. 's 4. 79x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, IDACORP, Inc. (IDA) trades at 22. 5x forward P/E versus 25. 9x for NWPX Infrastructure, Inc. — 3. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for IDA: 3. 1% to $147. 71.

In this comparison, IDA (2.

4% yield) pays a dividend. NWPX does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, IDACORP, Inc.

(IDA) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 15), 2. 4% yield, +132. 6% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (IDA: +132. 6%, NWPX: +1040%), 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (IDA (Utilities) and NWPX (Industrials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

IDA pays a dividend while NWPX does 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.