LMB vs TTEK

For growth investors, Limbach Holdings, Inc.

(LMB) is the stronger pick with 24. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 4. 7% for Tetra Tech, Inc. (TTEK). Limbach Holdings, Inc. (LMB) offers the better valuation at 18. 4x trailing P/E (16. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Limbach Holdings, Inc. (LMB) a "Buy" — based on 7 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, Limbach Holdings, Inc.

(LMB) is the cheapest at 18. 4x versus Tetra Tech, Inc. at 33. 0x. On forward P/E, Limbach Holdings, Inc. is actually cheaper at 16. 5x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Limbach Holdings, Inc. wins at 0. 40x versus Tetra Tech, Inc. 's 2. 47x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Limbach Holdings, Inc.

(LMB) delivered a total return of +594. 8%, compared to +28. 0% for Tetra Tech, Inc. (TTEK). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: LMB returned +648. 8% versus TTEK's +450. 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. 53β versus Limbach Holdings, Inc. 's 1. 40β — meaning LMB is approximately 162% more volatile than TTEK relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Limbach Holdings, Inc. (LMB) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 29% versus 55% for Tetra Tech, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Limbach Holdings, Inc.

(LMB) is pulling ahead at 24. 7% versus 4. 7% for Tetra Tech, Inc. (TTEK). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Limbach Holdings, Inc. grew EPS 56. 4% year-over-year, compared to -24. 4% for Tetra Tech, 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.

Limbach Holdings, Inc.

(LMB) is the more profitable company, earning 7. 5% net margin versus 4. 6% for Tetra Tech, Inc. — meaning it keeps 7. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: TTEK leads at 11. 1% versus 7. 6% for LMB. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — LMB leads at 26. 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, Limbach Holdings, Inc. (LMB) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 40x versus Tetra Tech, Inc. 's 2. 47x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Limbach Holdings, Inc. (LMB) trades at 16. 5x forward P/E versus 20. 0x for Tetra Tech, Inc. — 3. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for LMB: 40. 3% to $104. 00.

In this comparison, TTEK (0.

8% yield) pays a dividend. LMB does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

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. 53), 0. 8% yield, +450. 1% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (TTEK: +450. 1%, LMB: +648. 8%), 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: LMB is a small-cap high-growth stock; TTEK is a small-cap quality compounder stock. TTEK pays a dividend while LMB 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.