LYTS
LSI Industries Inc.
Hardware, Equipment & Parts
Market Cap$757M
5Y Perf.+295.8%
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Stock Comparison
LYTS vs IIIN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
IIIN
Insteel Industries, Inc.
Manufacturing - Metal Fabrication
Market Cap$519M
5Y Perf.+51.3%
LYTS vs IIIN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | LYTS | IIIN |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Hardware, Equipment & Parts | Manufacturing - Metal Fabrication |
| Market Cap | $757M | $519M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $592M | $678M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $26M | $48M |
| Gross Margin | 25.3% | 15.0% |
| Operating Margin | 6.5% | 9.2% |
| Forward P/E | 22.2x | 16.3x |
| Total Debt | $67M | $4M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $3M | $39M |
LYTS vs IIIN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
LYTS
IIIN
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| LSI Industries Inc. (LYTS) | 100 | 395.8 | +295.8% |
| Insteel Industries,… (IIIN) | 100 | 151.3 | +51.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: LYTS vs IIIN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: IIIN leads in 6 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. LSI Industries Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for recent price momentum and sentiment. This set spans 2 sectors — these stocks serve different portfolio roles, not just different price points.
LYTS
LSI Industries Inc.
The Long-Run Compounder
LYTS is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 106.6% 10Y total return vs IIIN's 40.8%
- +58.3% vs IIIN's -20.2%
Best for: long-term compounding
IIIN
Insteel Industries, Inc.
The Income Pick
IIIN carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 1.01, yield 4.2%
- Rev growth 22.4%, EPS growth 112.1%, 3Y rev CAGR -7.8%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.01, Low D/E 1.1%, current ratio 3.97x
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | IIIN | 22.4% revenue growth vs LYTS's 22.1% |
| Value | IIIN | Lower P/E (16.3x vs 22.2x), PEG 0.99 vs 1.31 |
| Quality / Margins | IIIN | 7.0% margin vs LYTS's 4.3% |
| Stability / Safety | IIIN | Beta 1.01 vs LYTS's 1.43, lower leverage |
| Dividends | IIIN | 4.2% yield, vs LYTS's 0.8% |
| Momentum (1Y) | LYTS | +58.3% vs IIIN's -20.2% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | IIIN | 10.4% ROA vs LYTS's 6.5%, ROIC 14.1% vs 9.5% |
LYTS vs IIIN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
LYTS vs IIIN — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLIIINLAGGINGLYTS
LYTSLSI Industries Inc.
1leads
IIINInsteel Industries, I…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs LYTSMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
IIIN4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
IIIN6/7
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
IIIN9/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
LYTS6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
IIIN leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
IIIN and LYTS operate at a comparable scale, with $678M and $592M in trailing revenue. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 7.0% (IIIN) to 4.3% (LYTS). On growth, IIIN holds the edge at +23.3% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | LYTSLSI Industries In… | IIINInsteel Industrie… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $592M | $678M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $51M | $81M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $26M | $48M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $38M | $439,000 |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +25.3% | +15.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +6.5% | +9.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +4.3% | +7.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +6.4% | +0.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -0.5% | +23.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +11.1% | +6.1% |
IIIN leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
IIIN leads this category, winning 6 of 7 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 12.7x trailing earnings, IIIN trades at a 59% valuation discount to LYTS's 30.8x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), IIIN offers better value at 0.77x vs LYTS's 1.81x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | LYTSLSI Industries In… | IIINInsteel Industrie… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $757M | $519M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $820M | $484M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 30.76x | 12.72x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 22.23x | 16.34x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 1.81x | 0.77x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 16.96x | 6.65x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.32x | 0.80x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.25x | 1.41x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 21.83x | 27.37x |
IIIN leads this category, winning 6 of 7 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
IIIN leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
IIIN delivers a 13.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $13 in annual profit, vs $11 for LYTS. IIIN carries lower financial leverage with a 0.01x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to LYTS's 0.29x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), IIIN scores 6/9 vs LYTS's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | LYTSLSI Industries In… | IIINInsteel Industrie… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +10.9% | +13.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +6.5% | +10.4% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +9.5% | +14.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +12.6% | +14.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.29x | 0.01x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $63M | -$35M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $3M | $39M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $67M | $4M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 13.52x | 1192.54x |
IIIN leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
LYTS leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in LYTS five years ago would be worth $32,645 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $8,783 for IIIN. Over the past 12 months, LYTS leads with a +58.3% total return vs IIIN's -20.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors LYTS at 25.8% vs IIIN's 2.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | LYTSLSI Industries In… | IIINInsteel Industrie… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +32.1% | -17.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +58.3% | -20.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +99.0% | +8.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +226.5% | -12.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +106.6% | +40.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +25.8% | +2.9% |
LYTS leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — LYTS and IIIN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
IIIN is the less volatile stock with a 1.01 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than LYTS's 1.43 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. LYTS currently trades 98.2% from its 52-week high vs IIIN's 64.1% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | LYTSLSI Industries In… | IIINInsteel Industrie… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.43x | 1.01x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $24.75 | $41.64 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $15.31 | $24.35 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +98.2% | +64.1% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 68.4 | 38.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 374K | 209K |
Evenly matched — LYTS and IIIN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — LYTS and IIIN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates LYTS as "Buy" and IIIN as "Buy". For income investors, IIIN offers the higher dividend yield at 4.17% vs LYTS's 0.80%.
| Metric | LYTSLSI Industries In… | IIINInsteel Industrie… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $27.00 | — |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 5 | 4 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.8% | +4.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 2 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.19 | $1.11 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +0.4% |
Evenly matched — LYTS and IIIN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
IIIN leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). LYTS leads in 1 (Total Returns). 2 tied.
Best OverallInsteel Industries, Inc. (IIIN)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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LYTS vs IIIN: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is LYTS or IIIN a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Insteel Industries, Inc.
(IIIN) is the stronger pick with 22. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 22. 1% for LSI Industries Inc. (LYTS). Insteel Industries, Inc. (IIIN) offers the better valuation at 12. 7x trailing P/E (16. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate LSI Industries Inc. (LYTS) a "Buy" — based on 5 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.
02Which has the better valuation — LYTS or IIIN?
On trailing P/E, Insteel Industries, Inc.
(IIIN) is the cheapest at 12. 7x versus LSI Industries Inc. at 30. 8x. On forward P/E, Insteel Industries, Inc. is actually cheaper at 16. 3x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Insteel Industries, Inc. wins at 0. 99x versus LSI Industries Inc. 's 1. 31x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — LYTS or IIIN?
Over the past 5 years, LSI Industries Inc.
(LYTS) delivered a total return of +226. 5%, compared to -12. 2% for Insteel Industries, Inc. (IIIN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: LYTS returned +106. 6% versus IIIN's +40. 8%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — LYTS or IIIN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Insteel Industries, Inc.
(IIIN) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 01β versus LSI Industries Inc. 's 1. 43β — meaning LYTS is approximately 41% more volatile than IIIN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Insteel Industries, Inc. (IIIN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 1% versus 29% for LSI Industries Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — LYTS or IIIN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Insteel Industries, Inc.
(IIIN) is pulling ahead at 22. 4% versus 22. 1% for LSI Industries Inc. (LYTS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Insteel Industries, Inc. grew EPS 112. 1% year-over-year, compared to -4. 8% for LSI Industries Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, LYTS leads at 8. 0% 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.
06Which has better profit margins — LYTS or IIIN?
Insteel Industries, Inc.
(IIIN) is the more profitable company, earning 6. 3% net margin versus 4. 3% for LSI Industries Inc. — meaning it keeps 6. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: IIIN leads at 8. 4% versus 6. 2% for LYTS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — LYTS leads at 24. 7%, 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.
07Is LYTS or IIIN more undervalued right now?
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, Insteel Industries, Inc. (IIIN) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 99x versus LSI Industries Inc. 's 1. 31x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Insteel Industries, Inc. (IIIN) trades at 16. 3x forward P/E versus 22. 2x for LSI Industries Inc. — 5. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — LYTS or IIIN?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Insteel Industries, Inc. (IIIN) offers the highest yield at 4. 2%, versus 0. 8% for LSI Industries Inc. (LYTS).
09Is LYTS or IIIN better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Insteel Industries, Inc.
(IIIN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 01), 4. 2% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (IIIN: +40. 8%, LYTS: +106. 6%), 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.
10What are the main differences between LYTS and IIIN?
These companies operate in different sectors (LYTS (Technology) and IIIN (Industrials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
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.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(LYTS: -0.5% · IIIN: 23.3%)Net Margin>
%
(LYTS: 4.3% · IIIN: 7.0%)P/E Ratio<
x
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