MG vs MYRG

For growth investors, MYR Group Inc.

(MYRG) is the stronger pick with 8. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -0. 8% for Mistras Group, Inc. (MG). Mistras Group, Inc. (MG) offers the better valuation at 35. 4x trailing P/E (18. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Mistras Group, Inc. (MG) a "Hold" — based on 18 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, Mistras Group, Inc.

(MG) is the cheapest at 35. 4x versus MYR Group Inc. at 56. 8x. On forward P/E, Mistras Group, Inc. is actually cheaper at 18. 3x.

Over the past 5 years, MYR Group Inc.

(MYRG) delivered a total return of +417. 6%, compared to +72. 7% for Mistras Group, Inc. (MG). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MYRG returned +1681% versus MG's -19. 4%. 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), Mistras Group, Inc.

(MG) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 11β versus MYR Group Inc. 's 1. 70β — meaning MYRG is approximately 53% more volatile than MG relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, MYR Group Inc. (MYRG) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 16% versus 103% for Mistras Group, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), MYR Group Inc.

(MYRG) is pulling ahead at 8. 8% versus -0. 8% for Mistras Group, Inc. (MG). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: MYR Group Inc. grew EPS 311. 5% year-over-year, compared to -11. 7% for Mistras Group, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, MYRG leads at 6. 7% 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.

MYR Group Inc.

(MYRG) is the more profitable company, earning 3. 2% net margin versus 2. 3% for Mistras Group, Inc. — meaning it keeps 3. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MG leads at 7. 4% versus 4. 4% for MYRG. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MG leads at 26. 8%, 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.

On forward earnings alone, Mistras Group, Inc.

(MG) trades at 18. 3x forward P/E versus 44. 0x for MYR Group Inc. — 25. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MG: 1. 4% to $19. 00.

None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.

All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, MYR Group Inc.

(MYRG) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+1681% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MYRG: +1681%, MG: -19. 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.

Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

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.