SXI vs CW vs RBC

For growth investors, Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW) is the stronger pick with 12.

1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 4. 9% for RBC Bearings Incorporated (RBC). Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW) offers the better valuation at 56. 2x trailing P/E (48. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Standex International Corporation (SXI) a "Buy" — based on 10 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, Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW) is the cheapest at 56.

2x versus RBC Bearings Incorporated at 79. 5x. On forward P/E, Standex International Corporation is actually cheaper at 30. 8x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Curtiss-Wright Corporation wins at 2. 20x versus RBC Bearings Incorporated's 5. 74x.

Over the past 5 years, Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW) delivered a total return of +449.

0%, compared to +170. 3% for Standex International Corporation (SXI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: RBC returned +867. 2% versus SXI's +247. 8%. 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), RBC Bearings Incorporated (RBC) is the lower-risk stock at 1.

05β versus Standex International Corporation's 1. 40β — meaning SXI is approximately 34% more volatile than RBC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, RBC Bearings Incorporated (RBC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 34% versus 82% for Standex International Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW) is pulling ahead at 12.

1% versus 4. 9% for RBC Bearings Incorporated (RBC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Curtiss-Wright Corporation grew EPS 22. 0% year-over-year, compared to -24. 4% for Standex International Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, RBC leads at 20. 2% 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.

RBC Bearings Incorporated (RBC) is the more profitable company, earning 15.

0% net margin versus 7. 1% for Standex International Corporation — meaning it keeps 15. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: RBC leads at 22. 6% versus 15. 4% for SXI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — RBC leads at 44. 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.

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, Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 2. 20x versus RBC Bearings Incorporated's 5. 74x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Standex International Corporation (SXI) trades at 30. 8x forward P/E versus 50. 3x for RBC Bearings Incorporated — 19. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for SXI: 13. 5% to $304. 50.

In this comparison, SXI (0.

5% yield), CW (0. 1% yield) pay a dividend. RBC does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, RBC Bearings Incorporated (RBC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.

05), +867. 2% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (RBC: +867. 2%, SXI: +247. 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.

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.