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MATW vs BRC
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Security & Protection Services
MATW vs BRC — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Conglomerates | Security & Protection Services |
| Market Cap | $890M | $3.91B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.21B | $1.57B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $10M | $204M |
| Gross Margin | 35.7% | 50.9% |
| Operating Margin | -0.5% | 16.4% |
| Forward P/E | 35.7x | 16.2x |
| Total Debt | $764M | $159M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $32M | $174M |
MATW vs BRC — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthews Internatio… (MATW) | 100 | 138.1 | +38.1% |
| Brady Corporation (BRC) | 100 | 159.1 | +59.1% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: MATW vs BRC
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
MATW is the clearest fit if your priority is dividends and momentum.
- 3.7% yield, 15-year raise streak, vs BRC's 1.2%
- +56.1% vs BRC's +14.9%
BRC carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 37 yrs, beta 0.64, yield 1.2%
- Rev growth 12.8%, EPS growth -3.2%, 3Y rev CAGR 5.1%
- 241.2% 10Y total return vs MATW's -28.4%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 12.8% revenue growth vs MATW's -16.6% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (16.2x vs 35.7x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 13.0% margin vs MATW's 0.8% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.64 vs MATW's 1.03, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 3.7% yield, 15-year raise streak, vs BRC's 1.2% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +56.1% vs BRC's +14.9% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 11.2% ROA vs MATW's 0.6%, ROIC 16.7% vs 1.2% |
MATW vs BRC — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
MATW vs BRC — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
BRC leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
BRC and MATW operate at a comparable scale, with $1.6B and $1.2B in trailing revenue. BRC is the more profitable business, keeping 13.0% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to MATW's 0.8%. On growth, BRC holds the edge at +7.7% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.2B | $1.6B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $38M | $299M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $10M | $204M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$80M | $170M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +35.7% | +50.9% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -0.5% | +16.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +0.8% | +13.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -6.6% | +10.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -39.5% | +7.7% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -137.9% | +19.3% |
Valuation Metrics
MATW leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, BRC's 14.0x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than MATW's 17.6x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $890M | $3.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.6B | $3.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -36.18x | 20.75x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 35.73x | 16.17x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.57x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 17.61x | 14.05x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.59x | 2.58x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.85x | 3.28x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 25.46x |
Profitability & Efficiency
BRC leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
BRC delivers a 15.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $16 in annual profit, vs $2 for MATW. BRC carries lower financial leverage with a 0.13x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to MATW's 1.59x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), MATW scores 5/9 vs BRC's 3/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +1.9% | +15.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.6% | +11.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +1.2% | +16.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +1.5% | +17.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 3 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.59x | 0.13x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $732M | -$16M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $32M | $174M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $764M | $159M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 4.89x | 60.44x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
BRC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in BRC five years ago would be worth $15,643 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $7,979 for MATW. Over the past 12 months, MATW leads with a +56.1% total return vs BRC's +14.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors BRC at 18.3% vs MATW's -6.1% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +11.2% | +4.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +56.1% | +14.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -17.3% | +65.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -20.2% | +56.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -28.4% | +241.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -6.1% | +18.3% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — MATW and BRC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
BRC is the less volatile stock with a 0.64 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than MATW's 1.03 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. MATW currently trades 92.4% from its 52-week high vs BRC's 81.9% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.03x | 0.64x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $30.93 | $99.28 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $18.61 | $65.76 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +92.4% | +81.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 52.2 | 40.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 182K | 221K |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — MATW and BRC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates MATW as "Buy" and BRC as "Hold". For income investors, MATW offers the higher dividend yield at 3.69% vs BRC's 1.16%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | — |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 10 | 10 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +3.7% | +1.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 15 | 37 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.05 | $0.95 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.4% | +1.3% |
BRC leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). MATW leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 2 tied.
MATW vs BRC: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is MATW or BRC a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Brady Corporation (BRC) is the stronger pick with 12.
8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -16. 6% for Matthews International Corporation (MATW). Brady Corporation (BRC) offers the better valuation at 20. 7x trailing P/E (16. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Matthews International Corporation (MATW) a "Buy" — based on 10 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 — MATW or BRC?
On forward P/E, Brady Corporation is actually cheaper at 16.
2x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — MATW or BRC?
Over the past 5 years, Brady Corporation (BRC) delivered a total return of +56.
4%, compared to -20. 2% for Matthews International Corporation (MATW). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: BRC returned +241. 2% versus MATW's -28. 4%. 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 — MATW or BRC?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Brady Corporation (BRC) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
64β versus Matthews International Corporation's 1. 03β — meaning MATW is approximately 61% more volatile than BRC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Brady Corporation (BRC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 13% versus 159% for Matthews International Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — MATW or BRC?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Brady Corporation (BRC) is pulling ahead at 12.
8% versus -16. 6% for Matthews International Corporation (MATW). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Matthews International Corporation grew EPS 59. 1% year-over-year, compared to -3. 2% for Brady Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, BRC leads at 5. 1% 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 — MATW or BRC?
Brady Corporation (BRC) is the more profitable company, earning 12.
5% net margin versus -1. 6% for Matthews International Corporation — meaning it keeps 12. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: BRC leads at 15. 6% versus 1. 4% for MATW. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — BRC leads at 50. 3%, 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 MATW or BRC more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Brady Corporation (BRC) trades at 16.
2x forward P/E versus 35. 7x for Matthews International Corporation — 19. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — MATW or BRC?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Matthews International Corporation (MATW) offers the highest yield at 3. 7%, versus 1. 2% for Brady Corporation (BRC).
09Is MATW or BRC better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Brady Corporation (BRC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
64), 1. 2% yield, +241. 2% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (BRC: +241. 2%, MATW: -28. 4%), 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 MATW and BRC?
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: MATW is a small-cap income-oriented stock; BRC 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.
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