TPC vs PWR vs FLR vs KBR vs MTZ

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

1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -5. 0% for Fluor Corporation (FLR). 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 Quanta Services, Inc. at 110. 4x. On forward P/E, KBR, Inc. is actually cheaper at 8. 7x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Quanta Services, Inc. wins at 3. 33x versus MasTec, Inc. 's 16. 37x.

Over the past 5 years, Quanta Services, Inc.

(PWR) delivered a total return of +651. 1%, compared to -12. 6% for KBR, Inc. (KBR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PWR returned +31. 4% versus FLR's +5. 9%. 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 Fluor Corporation's 1. 90β — meaning FLR is approximately 129% more volatile than KBR relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Quanta Services, Inc. (PWR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 13% 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 -5. 0% for Fluor Corporation (FLR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Tutor Perini Corporation grew EPS 148. 2% year-over-year, compared to -116. 2% for Fluor Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, PWR leads at 18. 4% 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 -2. 3% for Fluor 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 -2. 4% for FLR. 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.

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, Quanta Services, Inc. (PWR) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 3. 33x versus MasTec, Inc. 's 16. 37x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, KBR, Inc. (KBR) trades at 8. 7x forward P/E versus 57. 4x for Quanta Services, Inc. — 48. 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, PWR, FLR, MTZ do 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). Fluor Corporation (FLR) carries a higher beta of 1. 90 — 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%, FLR: +5. 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.

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; PWR is a mid-cap high-growth stock; FLR is a small-cap quality compounder stock; KBR is a small-cap deep-value stock; MTZ is a mid-cap high-growth stock. KBR pays a dividend while TPC, PWR, FLR, MTZ do 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.