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MTZ vs PRIM
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Engineering & Construction
MTZ vs PRIM — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Engineering & Construction | Engineering & Construction |
| Market Cap | $32.50B | $5.86B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $15.28B | $7.49B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $459M | $248M |
| Gross Margin | 12.1% | 10.4% |
| Operating Margin | 5.6% | 4.9% |
| Forward P/E | 48.6x | 18.1x |
| Total Debt | $2.80B | $1.28B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $396M | $541M |
MTZ vs PRIM — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| MasTec, Inc. (MTZ) | 100 | 1053.1 | +953.1% |
| Primoris Services C… (PRIM) | 100 | 647.2 | +547.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: MTZ vs PRIM
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
MTZ is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 1.64
- 17.5% 10Y total return vs PRIM's 402.0%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.64, Low D/E 83.9%, current ratio 1.32x
PRIM carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and valuation efficiency.
- Rev growth 19.0%, EPS growth 51.7%, 3Y rev CAGR 19.7%
- PEG 0.98 vs MTZ's 16.37
- 19.0% revenue growth vs MTZ's 16.2%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 19.0% revenue growth vs MTZ's 16.2% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (18.1x vs 48.6x), PEG 0.98 vs 16.37 | |
| Quality / Margins | 3.3% margin vs MTZ's 3.0% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.64 vs PRIM's 1.83 | |
| Dividends | 0.3% yield; 2-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +183.8% vs PRIM's +62.4% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 5.6% ROA vs MTZ's 4.7%, ROIC 13.6% vs 8.9% |
MTZ vs PRIM — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
MTZ vs PRIM — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MTZ leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MTZ is the larger business by revenue, generating $15.3B annually — 2.0x PRIM's $7.5B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 3.3% (PRIM) to 3.0% (MTZ). On growth, MTZ holds the edge at +34.5% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $15.3B | $7.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $1.2B | $437M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $459M | $248M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $179M | $165M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +12.1% | +10.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +5.6% | +4.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +3.0% | +3.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +1.2% | +2.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +34.5% | -5.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +4.9% | -60.5% |
Valuation Metrics
PRIM leads this category, winning 7 of 7 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 21.5x trailing earnings, PRIM trades at a 74% valuation discount to MTZ's 81.3x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), PRIM offers better value at 1.17x vs MTZ's 27.39x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $32.5B | $5.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $34.9B | $6.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 81.32x | 21.52x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 48.62x | 18.06x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 27.39x | 1.17x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 32.32x | 13.03x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.27x | 0.77x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 9.73x | 3.52x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 113.74x | 17.20x |
Profitability & Efficiency
PRIM leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
PRIM delivers a 15.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $15 in annual profit, vs $14 for MTZ. PRIM carries lower financial leverage with a 0.76x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to MTZ's 0.84x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), MTZ scores 8/9 vs PRIM's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +14.2% | +15.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +4.7% | +5.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +8.9% | +13.6% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +10.2% | +16.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 8 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.84x | 0.76x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $2.4B | $735M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $396M | $541M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.8B | $1.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 4.37x | 21.02x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
MTZ leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in MTZ five years ago would be worth $37,048 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $33,445 for PRIM. Over the past 12 months, MTZ leads with a +183.8% total return vs PRIM's +62.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MTZ at 67.3% vs PRIM's 64.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +81.1% | -17.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +183.8% | +62.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +368.2% | +346.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +270.5% | +234.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +1752.9% | +402.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +67.3% | +64.7% |
Risk & Volatility
MTZ leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
MTZ is the less volatile stock with a 1.64 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than PRIM's 1.83 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. MTZ currently trades 93.4% from its 52-week high vs PRIM's 52.6% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.64x | 1.83x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $441.43 | $205.50 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $143.93 | $65.23 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +93.4% | +52.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 76.5 | 30.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 942K | 1.1M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates MTZ as "Buy" and PRIM as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 48.7% upside for PRIM (target: $161) vs -19.9% for MTZ (target: $330). PRIM is the only dividend payer here at 0.29% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $330.25 | $160.63 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 36 | 22 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +0.3% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 2 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.32 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.2% | +0.2% |
MTZ leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). PRIM leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency).
MTZ vs PRIM: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is MTZ or PRIM a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) is the stronger pick with 19.
0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 16. 2% for MasTec, Inc. (MTZ). Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) offers the better valuation at 21. 5x trailing P/E (18. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate MasTec, Inc. (MTZ) a "Buy" — based on 36 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 — MTZ or PRIM?
On trailing P/E, Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) is the cheapest at 21.
5x versus MasTec, Inc. at 81. 3x. On forward P/E, Primoris Services Corporation is actually cheaper at 18. 1x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Primoris Services Corporation wins at 0. 98x versus MasTec, Inc. 's 16. 37x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — MTZ or PRIM?
Over the past 5 years, MasTec, Inc.
(MTZ) delivered a total return of +270. 5%, compared to +234. 4% for Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MTZ returned +1753% versus PRIM's +402. 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 — MTZ or PRIM?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), MasTec, Inc.
(MTZ) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 64β versus Primoris Services Corporation's 1. 83β — meaning PRIM is approximately 12% more volatile than MTZ relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 76% versus 84% for MasTec, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — MTZ or PRIM?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) is pulling ahead at 19.
0% versus 16. 2% for MasTec, Inc. (MTZ). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: MasTec, Inc. grew EPS 146. 1% year-over-year, compared to 51. 7% for Primoris Services Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, PRIM leads at 19. 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.
06Which has better profit margins — MTZ or PRIM?
Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) is the more profitable company, earning 3.
6% net margin versus 2. 8% for MasTec, Inc. — meaning it keeps 3. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: PRIM leads at 5. 5% versus 4. 6% for MTZ. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — PRIM leads at 10. 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 MTZ or PRIM 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, Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 98x versus MasTec, Inc. 's 16. 37x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) trades at 18. 1x forward P/E versus 48. 6x for MasTec, Inc. — 30. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for PRIM: 48. 7% to $160. 63.
08Which pays a better dividend — MTZ or PRIM?
In this comparison, PRIM (0.
3% yield) pays a dividend. MTZ does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is MTZ or PRIM better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, MasTec, Inc.
(MTZ) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+1753% 10Y return). Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) carries a higher beta of 1. 83 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (MTZ: +1753%, PRIM: +402. 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 MTZ and PRIM?
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.
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