MLI
Mueller Industries, Inc.
Manufacturing - Metal Fabrication
Market Cap$15.29B
5Y Perf.+929.1%
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Stock Comparison
MLI vs IIIN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
IIIN
Insteel Industries, Inc.
Manufacturing - Metal Fabrication
Market Cap$527M
5Y Perf.+53.8%
MLI vs IIIN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | MLI | IIIN |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacturing - Metal Fabrication | Manufacturing - Metal Fabrication |
| Market Cap | $15.29B | $527M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $4.37B | $678M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $847M | $48M |
| Gross Margin | 27.8% | 15.0% |
| Operating Margin | 22.9% | 9.2% |
| Forward P/E | 17.0x | 16.6x |
| Total Debt | $46M | $4M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $1.37B | $39M |
MLI vs IIIN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
MLI
IIIN
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mueller Industries,… (MLI) | 100 | 1029.1 | +929.1% |
| Insteel Industries,… (IIIN) | 100 | 153.8 | +53.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: MLI vs IIIN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: MLI leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. Insteel Industries, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and capital preservation and lower volatility. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
MLI
Mueller Industries, Inc.
The Long-Run Compounder
MLI carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for long-term compounding and valuation efficiency.
- 8.5% 10Y total return vs IIIN's 48.0%
- PEG 0.42 vs IIIN's 1.01
- PEG 0.42 vs 1.01
Best for: long-term compounding and valuation efficiency
IIIN
Insteel Industries, Inc.
The Income Pick
IIIN is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 1.01, yield 4.1%
- 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 MLI's 10.9% |
| Value | MLI | PEG 0.42 vs 1.01 |
| Quality / Margins | MLI | 19.4% margin vs IIIN's 7.0% |
| Stability / Safety | IIIN | Beta 1.01 vs MLI's 1.11, lower leverage |
| Dividends | IIIN | 4.1% yield, vs MLI's 0.7% |
| Momentum (1Y) | MLI | +88.2% vs IIIN's -18.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | MLI | 23.9% ROA vs IIIN's 10.4%, ROIC 44.7% vs 14.1% |
MLI vs IIIN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
MLI vs IIIN — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLMLILAGGINGIIIN
IIINInsteel Industries, I…
1leads
MLIMueller Industries, I…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs IIINMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
MLI4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
IIIN5/7
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
MLI6/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
MLI6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MLI leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MLI is the larger business by revenue, generating $4.4B annually — 6.4x IIIN's $678M. MLI is the more profitable business, keeping 19.4% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to IIIN's 7.0%. On growth, IIIN holds the edge at +23.3% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | MLIMueller Industrie… | IIINInsteel Industrie… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $4.4B | $678M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $1.1B | $81M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $847M | $48M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $652M | $439,000 |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +27.8% | +15.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +22.9% | +9.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +19.4% | +7.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +14.9% | +0.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +19.3% | +23.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +55.4% | +6.1% |
MLI leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
IIIN leads this category, winning 5 of 7 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 12.9x trailing earnings, IIIN trades at a 36% valuation discount to MLI's 20.1x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), MLI offers better value at 0.49x vs IIIN's 0.78x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | MLIMueller Industrie… | IIINInsteel Industrie… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $15.3B | $527M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $14.0B | $492M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 20.09x | 12.92x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 17.02x | 16.60x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.49x | 0.78x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 14.49x | 6.76x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 3.66x | 0.81x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 6.06x | 1.43x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 22.27x | 27.81x |
IIIN leads this category, winning 5 of 7 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MLI leads this category, winning 6 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MLI delivers a 28.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $28 in annual profit, vs $13 for IIIN. IIIN carries lower financial leverage with a 0.01x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to MLI's 0.02x.
| Metric | MLIMueller Industrie… | IIINInsteel Industrie… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +28.4% | +13.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +23.9% | +10.4% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +44.7% | +14.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +32.6% | +14.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.02x | 0.01x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$1.3B | -$35M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $1.4B | $39M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $46M | $4M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 13483.55x | 1192.54x |
MLI leads this category, winning 6 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
MLI leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in MLI five years ago would be worth $59,094 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $8,796 for IIIN. Over the past 12 months, MLI leads with a +88.2% total return vs IIIN's -18.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MLI at 55.3% vs IIIN's 3.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | MLIMueller Industrie… | IIINInsteel Industrie… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +18.3% | -16.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +88.2% | -18.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +274.8% | +10.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +490.9% | -12.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +847.6% | +48.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +55.3% | +3.3% |
MLI leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — MLI 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 MLI's 1.11 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. MLI currently trades 97.8% from its 52-week high vs IIIN's 65.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | MLIMueller Industrie… | IIINInsteel Industrie… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.11x | 1.01x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $140.84 | $41.64 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $72.16 | $24.35 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +97.8% | +65.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 68.2 | 39.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 679K | 211K |
Evenly matched — MLI and IIIN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — MLI and IIIN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates MLI as "Hold" and IIIN as "Buy". For income investors, IIIN offers the higher dividend yield at 4.10% vs MLI's 0.71%.
| Metric | MLIMueller Industrie… | IIINInsteel Industrie… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | — |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 6 | 4 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.7% | +4.1% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 5 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.98 | $1.11 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.6% | +0.4% |
Evenly matched — MLI and IIIN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
MLI leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). IIIN leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 2 tied.
Best OverallMueller Industries, Inc. (MLI)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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MLI vs IIIN: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is MLI 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 10. 9% for Mueller Industries, Inc. (MLI). Insteel Industries, Inc. (IIIN) offers the better valuation at 12. 9x trailing P/E (16. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Insteel Industries, Inc. (IIIN) a "Buy" — based on 4 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 — MLI or IIIN?
On trailing P/E, Insteel Industries, Inc.
(IIIN) is the cheapest at 12. 9x versus Mueller Industries, Inc. at 20. 1x. On forward P/E, Insteel Industries, Inc. is actually cheaper at 16. 6x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Mueller Industries, Inc. wins at 0. 42x versus Insteel Industries, Inc. 's 1. 01x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — MLI or IIIN?
Over the past 5 years, Mueller Industries, Inc.
(MLI) delivered a total return of +490. 9%, compared to -12. 0% for Insteel Industries, Inc. (IIIN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MLI returned +847. 6% versus IIIN's +48. 0%. 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 — MLI or IIIN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Insteel Industries, Inc.
(IIIN) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 01β versus Mueller Industries, Inc. 's 1. 11β — meaning MLI is approximately 10% 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 2% for Mueller Industries, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — MLI or IIIN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Insteel Industries, Inc.
(IIIN) is pulling ahead at 22. 4% versus 10. 9% for Mueller Industries, Inc. (MLI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Insteel Industries, Inc. grew EPS 112. 1% year-over-year, compared to 28. 9% for Mueller Industries, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, MLI leads at 1. 6% 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 — MLI or IIIN?
Mueller Industries, Inc.
(MLI) is the more profitable company, earning 18. 3% net margin versus 6. 3% for Insteel Industries, Inc. — meaning it keeps 18. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MLI leads at 21. 4% versus 8. 4% for IIIN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MLI leads at 27. 4%, 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 MLI 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, Mueller Industries, Inc. (MLI) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 42x versus Insteel Industries, Inc. 's 1. 01x. 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. 6x forward P/E versus 17. 0x for Mueller Industries, Inc. — 0. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — MLI or IIIN?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Insteel Industries, Inc. (IIIN) offers the highest yield at 4. 1%, versus 0. 7% for Mueller Industries, Inc. (MLI).
09Is MLI or IIIN better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Mueller Industries, Inc.
(MLI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 11), 0. 7% yield, +847. 6% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MLI: +847. 6%, IIIN: +48. 0%), 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 MLI and IIIN?
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: MLI is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; IIIN is a small-cap high-growth 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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Revenue Growth>
%
(MLI: 19.3% · IIIN: 23.3%)Net Margin>
%
(MLI: 19.4% · IIIN: 7.0%)P/E Ratio<
x
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