Specialty Business Services
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TIC vs ULS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Specialty Business Services
TIC vs ULS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Specialty Business Services | Specialty Business Services |
| Market Cap | $2.28B | $21.08B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.78B | $3.11B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-103M | $349M |
| Gross Margin | 31.8% | 49.6% |
| Operating Margin | -0.6% | 17.8% |
| Forward P/E | 72.6x | 48.0x |
| Total Debt | $1.71B | $832M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $440M | $295M |
TIC vs ULS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Feb 25 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIC Solutions, Inc. (TIC) | 100 | 83.4 | -16.6% |
| UL Solutions Inc. (ULS) | 100 | 197.2 | +97.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: TIC vs ULS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
TIC is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 1.65
- Rev growth 39.4%, EPS growth -353.8%
- 39.4% revenue growth vs ULS's 6.4%
ULS carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night.
- 203.2% 10Y total return vs TIC's -14.1%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.73, Low D/E 64.3%, current ratio 1.32x
- Beta 0.73, yield 0.5%, current ratio 1.32x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 39.4% revenue growth vs ULS's 6.4% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (48.0x vs 72.6x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 11.2% margin vs TIC's -5.8% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.73 vs TIC's 1.65, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 0.5% yield; 1-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +56.6% vs TIC's +4.1% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 11.9% ROA vs TIC's -2.7%, ROIC 23.1% vs 0.2% |
TIC vs ULS — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
TIC vs ULS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ULS leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ULS is the larger business by revenue, generating $3.1B annually — 1.7x TIC's $1.8B. ULS is the more profitable business, keeping 11.2% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to TIC's -5.8%. On growth, TIC holds the edge at +108.4% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.8B | $3.1B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $197M | $742M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$103M | $349M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$945,100 | $300M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +31.8% | +49.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -0.6% | +17.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -5.8% | +11.2% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -0.1% | +9.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +108.4% | +7.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +9.5% | +36.4% |
Valuation Metrics
TIC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, TIC's 19.0x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than ULS's 28.5x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $2.3B | $21.1B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $3.6B | $21.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -17.47x | 65.56x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 72.55x | 48.03x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 9.87x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 19.01x | 28.51x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.49x | 6.90x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.75x | 16.45x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 37.20x | 52.30x |
Profitability & Efficiency
ULS leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ULS delivers a 28.1% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $28 in annual profit, vs $-6 for TIC. ULS carries lower financial leverage with a 0.64x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to TIC's 0.79x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), ULS scores 7/9 vs TIC's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -5.5% | +28.1% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -2.7% | +11.9% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +0.2% | +23.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +0.3% | +24.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.79x | 0.64x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $1.3B | $537M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $440M | $295M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $1.7B | $832M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 0.01x | 18.89x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
ULS leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in ULS five years ago would be worth $30,318 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $8,592 for TIC. Over the past 12 months, ULS leads with a +56.6% total return vs TIC's +4.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ULS at 44.7% vs TIC's -4.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +4.2% | +29.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +4.1% | +56.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -14.1% | +203.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -14.1% | +203.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -14.1% | +203.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -4.9% | +44.7% |
Risk & Volatility
ULS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ULS is the less volatile stock with a 0.73 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than TIC's 1.65 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. ULS currently trades 97.5% from its 52-week high vs TIC's 69.0% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.65x | 0.73x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $14.94 | $107.54 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $6.36 | $60.00 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +69.0% | +97.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 69.3 | 76.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 3.1M | 700K |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates TIC as "Hold" and ULS as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 45.5% upside for TIC (target: $15) vs -14.8% for ULS (target: $89). ULS is the only dividend payer here at 0.49% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $15.00 | $89.40 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 2 | 8 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +0.5% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.51 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
ULS leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). TIC leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics).
TIC vs ULS: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is TIC or ULS a better buy right now?
For growth investors, TIC Solutions, Inc.
(TIC) is the stronger pick with 39. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 6. 4% for UL Solutions Inc. (ULS). UL Solutions Inc. (ULS) offers the better valuation at 65. 6x trailing P/E (48. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate UL Solutions Inc. (ULS) a "Buy" — based on 8 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 — TIC or ULS?
On forward P/E, UL Solutions Inc.
is actually cheaper at 48. 0x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — TIC or ULS?
Over the past 5 years, UL Solutions Inc.
(ULS) delivered a total return of +203. 2%, compared to -14. 1% for TIC Solutions, Inc. (TIC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ULS returned +203. 2% versus TIC's -14. 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 — TIC or ULS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), UL Solutions Inc.
(ULS) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 73β versus TIC Solutions, Inc. 's 1. 65β — meaning TIC is approximately 127% more volatile than ULS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, UL Solutions Inc. (ULS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 64% versus 79% for TIC Solutions, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — TIC or ULS?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), TIC Solutions, Inc.
(TIC) is pulling ahead at 39. 4% versus 6. 4% for UL Solutions Inc. (ULS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: UL Solutions Inc. grew EPS -1. 2% year-over-year, compared to -353. 8% for TIC Solutions, Inc.. 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 — TIC or ULS?
UL Solutions Inc.
(ULS) is the more profitable company, earning 10. 6% net margin versus -5. 7% for TIC Solutions, Inc. — meaning it keeps 10. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ULS leads at 17. 1% versus 0. 6% for TIC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ULS leads at 49. 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.
07Is TIC or ULS more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, UL Solutions Inc.
(ULS) trades at 48. 0x forward P/E versus 72. 6x for TIC Solutions, Inc. — 24. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for TIC: 45. 5% to $15. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — TIC or ULS?
In this comparison, ULS (0.
5% yield) pays a dividend. TIC does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is TIC or ULS better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, UL Solutions Inc.
(ULS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 73), +203. 2% 10Y return). TIC Solutions, Inc. (TIC) carries a higher beta of 1. 65 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (ULS: +203. 2%, TIC: -14. 1%), 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 TIC and ULS?
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: TIC is a small-cap high-growth stock; ULS is a mid-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.
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