TPC vs KBR

For growth investors, Tutor Perini Corporation (TPC) is the stronger pick with 28.

1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 0. 6% for KBR, Inc. (KBR). KBR, Inc. (KBR) offers the better valuation at 10. 3x trailing P/E (8. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Tutor Perini Corporation (TPC) a "Buy" — based on 13 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, KBR, Inc.

(KBR) is the cheapest at 10. 3x versus Tutor Perini Corporation at 54. 9x. On forward P/E, KBR, Inc. is actually cheaper at 8. 7x.

Over the past 5 years, Tutor Perini Corporation (TPC) delivered a total return of +397.

5%, compared to -12. 6% for KBR, Inc. (KBR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: TPC returned +327. 3% versus KBR's +163. 2%. 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), KBR, Inc.

(KBR) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 83β versus Tutor Perini Corporation's 1. 68β — meaning TPC is approximately 102% more volatile than KBR relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Tutor Perini Corporation (TPC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 37% versus 2% for KBR, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Tutor Perini Corporation (TPC) is pulling ahead at 28.

1% versus 0. 6% for KBR, Inc. (KBR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Tutor Perini Corporation grew EPS 148. 2% year-over-year, compared to 14. 6% for KBR, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, TPC leads at 13. 5% 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.

KBR, Inc.

(KBR) is the more profitable company, earning 5. 3% net margin versus 1. 5% for Tutor Perini Corporation — meaning it keeps 5. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: KBR leads at 7. 3% versus 4. 2% for TPC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — KBR leads at 14. 8%, 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.

On forward earnings alone, KBR, Inc.

(KBR) trades at 8. 7x forward P/E versus 21. 4x for Tutor Perini Corporation — 12. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for KBR: 55. 6% to $51. 67.

In this comparison, KBR (2.

0% yield) pays a dividend. TPC does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, KBR, Inc.

(KBR) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 83), 2. 0% yield, +163. 2% 10Y return). Tutor Perini Corporation (TPC) carries a higher beta of 1. 68 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (KBR: +163. 2%, TPC: +327. 3%), 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: TPC is a small-cap high-growth stock; KBR is a small-cap deep-value stock. KBR pays a dividend while TPC 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.