J vs TTEK vs ACM vs EXPO

For growth investors, Tetra Tech, Inc.

(TTEK) is the stronger pick with 4. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 0. 2% for Aecom (ACM). Aecom (ACM) offers the better valuation at 16. 6x trailing P/E (11. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Jacobs Solutions Inc. (J) a "Buy" — based on 38 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, Aecom (ACM) is the cheapest at 16.

6x versus Jacobs Solutions Inc. at 48. 0x. On forward P/E, Aecom is actually cheaper at 11. 8x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Tetra Tech, Inc. wins at 2. 29x versus Exponent, Inc. 's 4. 67x.

Over the past 5 years, Tetra Tech, Inc.

(TTEK) delivered a total return of +26. 4%, compared to -31. 1% for Exponent, Inc. (EXPO). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: TTEK returned +416. 0% versus J's -19. 1%. 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), Tetra Tech, Inc.

(TTEK) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 47β versus Jacobs Solutions Inc. 's 1. 08β — meaning J is approximately 131% more volatile than TTEK relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Exponent, Inc. (EXPO) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 21% versus 125% for Aecom — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Tetra Tech, Inc.

(TTEK) is pulling ahead at 4. 7% versus 0. 2% for Aecom (ACM). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Aecom grew EPS 42. 7% year-over-year, compared to -62. 3% for Jacobs Solutions Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, TTEK leads at 24. 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.

Exponent, Inc.

(EXPO) is the more profitable company, earning 18. 2% net margin versus 2. 4% for Jacobs Solutions Inc. — meaning it keeps 18. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: EXPO leads at 20. 6% versus 6. 4% for ACM. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — EXPO leads at 25. 0%, 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, Tetra Tech, Inc. (TTEK) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 2. 29x versus Exponent, Inc. 's 4. 67x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Aecom (ACM) trades at 11. 8x forward P/E versus 27. 8x for Exponent, Inc. — 16. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ACM: 79. 6% to $125. 63.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Exponent, Inc. (EXPO) offers the highest yield at 2. 1%, versus 0. 8% for Tetra Tech, Inc. (TTEK).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Tetra Tech, Inc.

(TTEK) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 47), 0. 8% yield, +416. 0% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (TTEK: +416. 0%, J: -19. 1%), 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: J is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; TTEK is a small-cap quality compounder stock; ACM is a small-cap deep-value stock; EXPO 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.