Auto - Parts
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2 / 10Stock Comparison
MLR vs HLIO
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Industrial - Machinery
MLR vs HLIO — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Auto - Parts | Industrial - Machinery |
| Market Cap | $542M | $2.25B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $745M | $839M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $16M | $49M |
| Gross Margin | 15.1% | 32.3% |
| Operating Margin | 3.0% | 7.8% |
| Forward P/E | 25.0x | 26.9x |
| Total Debt | $34M | $111M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $45M | $73M |
MLR vs HLIO — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miller Industries, … (MLR) | 100 | 160.9 | +60.9% |
| Helios Technologies… (HLIO) | 100 | 190.1 | +90.1% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: MLR vs HLIO
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
MLR is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 0.92, yield 1.7%
- 168.1% 10Y total return vs HLIO's 109.8%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.92, Low D/E 8.0%, current ratio 3.22x
HLIO carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure.
- Rev growth 4.1%, EPS growth 23.9%, 3Y rev CAGR -1.8%
- 4.1% revenue growth vs MLR's -37.2%
- 5.8% margin vs MLR's 2.1%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 4.1% revenue growth vs MLR's -37.2% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (25.0x vs 26.9x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 5.8% margin vs MLR's 2.1% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.92 vs HLIO's 1.56, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 1.7% yield, 2-year raise streak, vs HLIO's 0.5% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +134.6% vs MLR's +14.7% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 3.1% ROA vs MLR's 2.6%, ROIC 4.4% vs 5.5% |
MLR vs HLIO — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
MLR vs HLIO — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
HLIO leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
HLIO and MLR operate at a comparable scale, with $839M and $745M in trailing revenue. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 5.8% (HLIO) to 2.1% (MLR). On growth, HLIO holds the edge at +17.4% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $745M | $839M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $33M | $129M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $16M | $49M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $110M | $103M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +15.1% | +32.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +3.0% | +7.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +2.1% | +5.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +14.8% | +12.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -19.8% | +17.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -92.8% | +3.1% |
Valuation Metrics
MLR leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 24.1x trailing earnings, MLR trades at a 49% valuation discount to HLIO's 46.9x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, MLR's 11.5x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than HLIO's 17.7x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $542M | $2.3B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $531M | $2.3B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 24.07x | 46.89x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 24.95x | 26.92x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.74x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 11.52x | 17.74x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.69x | 2.68x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.32x | 2.43x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 6.38x | 21.72x |
Profitability & Efficiency
MLR leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
HLIO delivers a 5.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $5 in annual profit, vs $4 for MLR. MLR carries lower financial leverage with a 0.08x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to HLIO's 0.12x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), HLIO scores 9/9 vs MLR's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +3.7% | +5.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +2.6% | +3.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +5.5% | +4.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +6.8% | +4.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 9 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.08x | 0.12x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$11M | $38M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $45M | $73M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $34M | $111M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 31.35x | 3.84x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
MLR leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in MLR five years ago would be worth $11,802 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $9,193 for HLIO. Over the past 12 months, HLIO leads with a +134.6% total return vs MLR's +14.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MLR at 14.4% vs HLIO's 3.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +27.9% | +24.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +14.7% | +134.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +49.6% | +11.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +18.0% | -8.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +168.1% | +109.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +14.4% | +3.6% |
Risk & Volatility
MLR leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
MLR is the less volatile stock with a 0.92 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than HLIO's 1.56 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. MLR currently trades 95.5% from its 52-week high vs HLIO's 88.9% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.92x | 1.56x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $49.88 | $76.47 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $33.81 | $28.34 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +95.5% | +88.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 58.9 | 55.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 89K | 350K |
Analyst Outlook
MLR leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates MLR as "Hold" and HLIO as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 13.3% upside for HLIO (target: $77) vs 1.8% for MLR (target: $49). For income investors, MLR offers the higher dividend yield at 1.65% vs HLIO's 0.53%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $48.50 | $77.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 3 | 12 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.7% | +0.5% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 2 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.79 | $0.36 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.1% | +0.6% |
MLR leads in 5 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). HLIO leads in 1 (Income & Cash Flow).
MLR vs HLIO: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is MLR or HLIO a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Helios Technologies, Inc.
(HLIO) is the stronger pick with 4. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -37. 2% for Miller Industries, Inc. (MLR). Miller Industries, Inc. (MLR) offers the better valuation at 24. 1x trailing P/E (25. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Helios Technologies, Inc. (HLIO) a "Buy" — based on 12 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 — MLR or HLIO?
On trailing P/E, Miller Industries, Inc.
(MLR) is the cheapest at 24. 1x versus Helios Technologies, Inc. at 46. 9x. On forward P/E, Miller Industries, Inc. is actually cheaper at 25. 0x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — MLR or HLIO?
Over the past 5 years, Miller Industries, Inc.
(MLR) delivered a total return of +18. 0%, compared to -8. 1% for Helios Technologies, Inc. (HLIO). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MLR returned +168. 1% versus HLIO's +109. 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 — MLR or HLIO?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Miller Industries, Inc.
(MLR) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 92β versus Helios Technologies, Inc. 's 1. 56β — meaning HLIO is approximately 69% more volatile than MLR relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Miller Industries, Inc. (MLR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 8% versus 12% for Helios Technologies, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — MLR or HLIO?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Helios Technologies, Inc.
(HLIO) is pulling ahead at 4. 1% versus -37. 2% for Miller Industries, Inc. (MLR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Helios Technologies, Inc. grew EPS 23. 9% year-over-year, compared to -63. 8% for Miller Industries, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, HLIO leads at -1. 8% 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 — MLR or HLIO?
Helios Technologies, Inc.
(HLIO) is the more profitable company, earning 5. 8% net margin versus 2. 9% for Miller Industries, Inc. — meaning it keeps 5. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: HLIO leads at 7. 9% versus 4. 0% for MLR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — HLIO leads at 32. 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 MLR or HLIO more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Miller Industries, Inc.
(MLR) trades at 25. 0x forward P/E versus 26. 9x for Helios Technologies, Inc. — 2. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for HLIO: 13. 3% to $77. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — MLR or HLIO?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Miller Industries, Inc. (MLR) offers the highest yield at 1. 7%, versus 0. 5% for Helios Technologies, Inc. (HLIO).
09Is MLR or HLIO better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Miller Industries, Inc.
(MLR) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 92), 1. 7% yield, +168. 1% 10Y return). Helios Technologies, Inc. (HLIO) carries a higher beta of 1. 56 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (MLR: +168. 1%, HLIO: +109. 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.
10What are the main differences between MLR and HLIO?
These companies operate in different sectors (MLR (Consumer Cyclical) and HLIO (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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