NPKI
NPK International Inc.
Oil & Gas Equipment & Services
Market Cap$1.33B
5Y Perf.+87.9%
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Stock Comparison
NPKI vs ASTE
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
ASTE
Astec Industries, Inc.
Agricultural - Machinery
Market Cap$1.23B
5Y Perf.+38.8%
NPKI vs ASTE — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | NPKI | ASTE |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Oil & Gas Equipment & Services | Agricultural - Machinery |
| Market Cap | $1.33B | $1.23B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $287M | $1.48B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $36M | $26M |
| Gross Margin | 35.2% | 26.1% |
| Operating Margin | 11.4% | 3.7% |
| Forward P/E | 29.9x | 14.3x |
| Total Debt | $37M | $320M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $5M | $72M |
NPKI vs ASTE — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
NPKI
ASTE
| Stock | Nov 24 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| NPK International I… (NPKI) | 100 | 187.9 | +87.9% |
| Astec Industries, I… (ASTE) | 100 | 138.8 | +38.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: NPKI vs ASTE
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: NPKI leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. Astec Industries, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency and dividend income and shareholder returns. This set spans 2 sectors — these stocks serve different portfolio roles, not just different price points.
NPKI
NPK International Inc.
The Income Pick
NPKI carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 1.47
- Rev growth 27.4%, EPS growth 124.0%, 3Y rev CAGR 12.8%
- 94.9% 10Y total return vs ASTE's 22.1%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
ASTE
Astec Industries, Inc.
The Value Play
ASTE is the clearest fit if your priority is value and dividends.
- Lower P/E (14.3x vs 29.9x)
- 1.0% yield; the other pay no meaningful dividend
Best for: value and dividends
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | NPKI | 27.4% revenue growth vs ASTE's 8.1% |
| Value | ASTE | Lower P/E (14.3x vs 29.9x) |
| Quality / Margins | NPKI | 12.4% margin vs ASTE's 1.7% |
| Stability / Safety | NPKI | Beta 1.47 vs ASTE's 1.63, lower leverage |
| Dividends | ASTE | 1.0% yield; the other pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | NPKI | +101.2% vs ASTE's +41.9% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | NPKI | 8.5% ROA vs ASTE's 2.0%, ROIC 9.9% vs 6.2% |
NPKI vs ASTE — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
NPKI vs ASTE — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLNPKILAGGINGASTE
ASTEAstec Industries, Inc.
1leads
NPKINPK International Inc.
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs ASTEMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
NPKI5/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
ASTE5/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
NPKI9/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
NPKI6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
NPKI2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
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Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NPKI leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ASTE is the larger business by revenue, generating $1.5B annually — 5.1x NPKI's $287M. NPKI is the more profitable business, keeping 12.4% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to ASTE's 1.7%. On growth, ASTE holds the edge at +20.3% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | NPKINPK International… | ASTEAstec Industries,… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $287M | $1.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $53M | $84M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $36M | $26M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $32M | $44M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +35.2% | +26.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +11.4% | +3.7% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +12.4% | +1.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +11.1% | +3.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +15.9% | +20.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | 0.0% | -90.3% |
NPKI leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
ASTE leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 31.9x trailing earnings, ASTE trades at a 15% valuation discount to NPKI's 37.4x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, ASTE's 14.5x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than NPKI's 18.8x.
| Metric | NPKINPK International… | ASTEAstec Industries,… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.3B | $1.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.4B | $1.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 37.40x | 31.90x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 29.87x | 14.33x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 18.81x | 14.50x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 4.79x | 0.87x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.83x | 1.82x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 50.46x | 57.14x |
ASTE leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
NPKI leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
NPKI delivers a 10.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $10 in annual profit, vs $4 for ASTE. NPKI carries lower financial leverage with a 0.10x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to ASTE's 0.47x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), NPKI scores 7/9 vs ASTE's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | NPKINPK International… | ASTEAstec Industries,… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +10.3% | +3.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +8.5% | +2.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +9.9% | +6.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +12.7% | +7.2% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.10x | 0.47x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $31M | $248M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $5M | $72M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $37M | $320M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 77.08x | 5.48x |
NPKI leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
NPKI leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in NPKI five years ago would be worth $19,491 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $8,298 for ASTE. Over the past 12 months, NPKI leads with a +101.2% total return vs ASTE's +41.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors NPKI at 24.9% vs ASTE's 10.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | NPKINPK International… | ASTEAstec Industries,… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +29.8% | +20.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +101.2% | +41.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +94.9% | +33.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +94.9% | -17.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +94.9% | +22.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +24.9% | +10.0% |
NPKI leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
NPKI leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
NPKI is the less volatile stock with a 1.47 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than ASTE's 1.63 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. NPKI currently trades 95.2% from its 52-week high vs ASTE's 81.6% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | NPKINPK International… | ASTEAstec Industries,… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.47x | 1.63x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $16.50 | $65.65 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $7.63 | $36.43 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +95.2% | +81.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 57.3 | 59.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 793K | 232K |
NPKI leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates NPKI as "Buy" and ASTE as "Buy". ASTE is the only dividend payer here at 0.96% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | NPKINPK International… | ASTEAstec Industries,… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $36.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 3 | 12 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +1.0% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.51 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.7% | 0.0% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
NPKI leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). ASTE leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics).
Best OverallNPK International Inc. (NPKI)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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NPKI vs ASTE: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is NPKI or ASTE a better buy right now?
For growth investors, NPK International Inc.
(NPKI) is the stronger pick with 27. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 8. 1% for Astec Industries, Inc. (ASTE). Astec Industries, Inc. (ASTE) offers the better valuation at 31. 9x trailing P/E (14. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate NPK International Inc. (NPKI) a "Buy" — based on 3 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 — NPKI or ASTE?
On trailing P/E, Astec Industries, Inc.
(ASTE) is the cheapest at 31. 9x versus NPK International Inc. at 37. 4x. On forward P/E, Astec Industries, Inc. is actually cheaper at 14. 3x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — NPKI or ASTE?
Over the past 5 years, NPK International Inc.
(NPKI) delivered a total return of +94. 9%, compared to -17. 0% for Astec Industries, Inc. (ASTE). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NPKI returned +94. 9% versus ASTE's +22. 1%. 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 — NPKI or ASTE?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), NPK International Inc.
(NPKI) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 47β versus Astec Industries, Inc. 's 1. 63β — meaning ASTE is approximately 11% more volatile than NPKI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, NPK International Inc. (NPKI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 10% versus 47% for Astec Industries, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — NPKI or ASTE?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), NPK International Inc.
(NPKI) is pulling ahead at 27. 4% versus 8. 1% for Astec Industries, Inc. (ASTE). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Astec Industries, Inc. grew EPS 784. 2% year-over-year, compared to 124. 0% for NPK International Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, NPKI leads at 12. 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 — NPKI or ASTE?
NPK International Inc.
(NPKI) is the more profitable company, earning 13. 0% net margin versus 2. 8% for Astec Industries, Inc. — meaning it keeps 13. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NPKI leads at 16. 9% versus 4. 6% for ASTE. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NPKI leads at 35. 6%, 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 NPKI or ASTE more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Astec Industries, Inc.
(ASTE) trades at 14. 3x forward P/E versus 29. 9x for NPK International Inc. — 15. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — NPKI or ASTE?
In this comparison, ASTE (1.
0% yield) pays a dividend. NPKI does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is NPKI or ASTE better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Astec Industries, Inc.
(ASTE) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (1. 0% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ASTE: +22. 1%, NPKI: +94. 9%), 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 NPKI and ASTE?
These companies operate in different sectors (NPKI (Energy) and ASTE (Industrials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
In terms of investment character: NPKI is a small-cap high-growth stock; ASTE is a small-cap quality compounder stock. ASTE pays a dividend while NPKI does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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>
%
(NPKI: 15.9% · ASTE: 20.3%)P/E Ratio<
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