STRL vs MYRG

For growth investors, Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.

(STRL) is the stronger pick with 17. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 8. 8% for MYR Group Inc. (MYRG). MYR Group Inc. (MYRG) offers the better valuation at 60. 4x trailing P/E (46. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL) a "Buy" — based on 9 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, MYR Group Inc.

(MYRG) is the cheapest at 60. 4x versus Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. at 94. 5x. On forward P/E, MYR Group Inc. is actually cheaper at 46. 8x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. wins at 1. 46x versus MYR Group Inc. 's 2. 81x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.

Over the past 5 years, Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.

(STRL) delivered a total return of +37. 2%, compared to +449. 7% for MYR Group Inc. (MYRG). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: STRL returned +209. 0% versus MYRG's +1794%. 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), MYR Group Inc.

(MYRG) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 70β versus Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. 's 2. 54β — meaning STRL is approximately 50% more volatile than MYRG relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, MYR Group Inc. (MYRG) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 16% versus 32% for Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.

(STRL) is pulling ahead at 17. 7% versus 8. 8% for MYR Group Inc. (MYRG). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: MYR Group Inc. grew EPS 311. 5% year-over-year, compared to 13. 4% for Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, STRL leads at 12. 1% 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.

Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.

(STRL) is the more profitable company, earning 11. 7% net margin versus 3. 2% for MYR Group Inc. — meaning it keeps 11. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: STRL leads at 16. 6% versus 4. 4% for MYRG. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — STRL leads at 22. 1%, 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.

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, Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 46x versus MYR Group Inc. 's 2. 81x. A PEG below 1. 5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, MYR Group Inc. (MYRG) trades at 46. 8x forward P/E versus 64. 6x for Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. — 17. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MYRG: -20. 4% to $362. 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 (+1794% 10Y return). Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL) carries a higher beta of 2. 54 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (MYRG: +1794%, STRL: +209. 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.

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: STRL is a mid-cap high-growth stock; MYRG is a small-cap quality compounder 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.