TRNS
Transcat, Inc.
Industrial - Distribution
Market Cap$852M
5Y Perf.+252.9%
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Side-by-side financial analysisTRNS
MGRC
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Stock Comparison
TRNS vs MGRC
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
MGRC
McGrath RentCorp
Rental & Leasing Services
Market Cap$2.83B
5Y Perf.+113.1%
TRNS vs MGRC — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot |  TRNS |  MGRC |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Industrial - Distribution | Rental & Leasing Services |
| Market Cap | $852M | $2.83B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $333M | $947M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $7M | $155M |
| Gross Margin | 32.6% | 45.9% |
| Operating Margin | 4.1% | 25.5% |
| Forward P/E | 51.9x | 18.1x |
| Total Debt | $129M | $528M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $5M | $295K |
TRNS vs MGRC — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
TRNS
MGRC
| Stock | Jun 20 | Jun 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transcat, Inc. (TRNS) | 100 | 352.9 | +252.9% |
| McGrath RentCorp (MGRC) | 100 | 213.1 | +113.1% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: TRNS vs MGRC
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: MGRC leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. Transcat, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
🥇MGRC emerged as the overall leader. Track its performance:
TRNS
Transcat, Inc.
The Growth Play
TRNS is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 19.2%, EPS growth -63.7%, 3Y rev CAGR 12.9%
- 7.7% 10Y total return vs MGRC's 334.3%
- 19.2% revenue growth vs MGRC's 3.7%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
MGRC
McGrath RentCorp
The Income Pick
MGRC carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 34 yrs, beta 0.75, yield 1.7%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.75, Low D/E 42.7%, current ratio 1.36x
- Beta 0.75, yield 1.7%, current ratio 1.36x
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth |  TRNS | 19.2% revenue growth vs MGRC's 3.7% |
| Value |  MGRC | Lower P/E (18.1x vs 51.9x) |
| Quality / Margins | MGRC | 16.4% margin vs TRNS's 2.0% |
| Stability / Safety | MGRC | Beta 0.75 vs TRNS's 1.35, lower leverage |
| Dividends | MGRC | 1.7% yield; 34-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | TRNS | +17.9% vs MGRC's +1.1% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | MGRC | 6.6% ROA vs TRNS's 1.4%, ROIC 10.5% vs 2.6% |
TRNS vs MGRC — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
TRNS vs MGRC — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLMGRCLAGGINGTRNS
TRNSTranscat, Inc.
1leads
MGRCMcGrath RentCorp
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs TRNSMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
MGRC5/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
MGRC5/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
MGRC7/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
TRNS4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
MGRC1/1
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MGRC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MGRC is the larger business by revenue, generating $947M annually — 2.8x TRNS's $333M. MGRC is the more profitable business, keeping 16.4% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to TRNS's 2.0%. On growth, TRNS holds the edge at +15.8% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | TRNSTranscat, Inc. | MGRCMcGrath RentCorp |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $333M | $947M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $40M | $350M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $7M | $155M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $20M | $196M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +32.6% | +45.9% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +4.1% | +25.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +2.0% | +16.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +5.9% | +20.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +15.8% | +1.6% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -56.3% | -4.3% |
MGRC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
MGRC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 18.1x trailing earnings, MGRC trades at a 89% valuation discount to TRNS's 160.1x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, MGRC's 9.6x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than TRNS's 24.8x.
| Metric | TRNSTranscat, Inc. | MGRCMcGrath RentCorp |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $852M | $2.8B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $976M | $3.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 160.11x | 18.12x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 51.85x | 18.07x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 2.05x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 24.76x | 9.55x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.57x | 2.99x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.83x | 2.29x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 43.60x | 13.38x |
MGRC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MGRC leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MGRC delivers a 12.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $13 in annual profit, vs $2 for TRNS. MGRC carries lower financial leverage with a 0.43x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to TRNS's 0.43x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), MGRC scores 6/9 vs TRNS's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | TRNSTranscat, Inc. | MGRCMcGrath RentCorp |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +2.2% | +12.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +1.4% | +6.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +2.6% | +10.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +3.3% | +11.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.43x | 0.43x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $124M | $528M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $5M | $295,000 |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $129M | $528M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 2.81x | 8.35x |
MGRC leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
TRNS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in TRNS five years ago would be worth $16,632 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $14,753 for MGRC. Over the past 12 months, TRNS leads with a +17.9% total return vs MGRC's +1.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MGRC at 7.2% vs TRNS's -0.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | TRNSTranscat, Inc. | MGRCMcGrath RentCorp |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +59.7% | +10.3% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +17.9% | +1.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -1.0% | +23.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +66.3% | +47.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +769.1% | +334.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -0.3% | +7.2% |
TRNS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — TRNS and MGRC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
MGRC is the less volatile stock with a 0.75 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than TRNS's 1.35 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. TRNS currently trades 96.3% from its 52-week high vs MGRC's 89.6% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | TRNSTranscat, Inc. | MGRCMcGrath RentCorp |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.35x | 0.75x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $94.76 | $128.41 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $50.23 | $94.99 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +96.3% | +89.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 62.7 | 60.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 155K | 198K |
Evenly matched — TRNS and MGRC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
MGRC leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates TRNS as "Buy" and MGRC as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 35.4% upside for TRNS (target: $124) vs 21.6% for MGRC (target: $140). MGRC is the only dividend payer here at 1.69% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | TRNSTranscat, Inc. | MGRCMcGrath RentCorp |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $123.60 | $140.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 10 | 5 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +1.7% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 34 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $1.94 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.1% | 0.0% |
MGRC leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
MGRC leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). TRNS leads in 1 (Total Returns). 1 tied.
Best OverallMcGrath RentCorp (MGRC)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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TRNS vs MGRC: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is TRNS or MGRC a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Transcat, Inc.
(TRNS) is the stronger pick with 19. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 3. 7% for McGrath RentCorp (MGRC). McGrath RentCorp (MGRC) offers the better valuation at 18. 1x trailing P/E (18. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Transcat, Inc. (TRNS) 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.
02Which has the better valuation — TRNS or MGRC?
On trailing P/E, McGrath RentCorp (MGRC) is the cheapest at 18.
1x versus Transcat, Inc. at 160. 1x. On forward P/E, McGrath RentCorp is actually cheaper at 18. 1x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — TRNS or MGRC?
Over the past 5 years, Transcat, Inc.
(TRNS) delivered a total return of +66. 3%, compared to +47. 5% for McGrath RentCorp (MGRC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: TRNS returned +769. 1% versus MGRC's +334. 3%. 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 — TRNS or MGRC?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), McGrath RentCorp (MGRC) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
75β versus Transcat, Inc. 's 1. 35β — meaning TRNS is approximately 79% more volatile than MGRC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, McGrath RentCorp (MGRC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 43% versus 43% for Transcat, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — TRNS or MGRC?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Transcat, Inc.
(TRNS) is pulling ahead at 19. 2% versus 3. 7% for McGrath RentCorp (MGRC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: McGrath RentCorp grew EPS -32. 7% year-over-year, compared to -63. 7% for Transcat, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, MGRC leads at 14. 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.
06Which has better profit margins — TRNS or MGRC?
McGrath RentCorp (MGRC) is the more profitable company, earning 16.
6% net margin versus 1. 6% for Transcat, Inc. — meaning it keeps 16. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MGRC leads at 25. 9% versus 4. 0% for TRNS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MGRC leads at 46. 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 TRNS or MGRC more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, McGrath RentCorp (MGRC) trades at 18.
1x forward P/E versus 51. 9x for Transcat, Inc. — 33. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for TRNS: 35. 4% to $123. 60.
08Which pays a better dividend — TRNS or MGRC?
In this comparison, MGRC (1.
7% yield) pays a dividend. TRNS does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is TRNS or MGRC better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, McGrath RentCorp (MGRC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
75), 1. 7% yield, +334. 3% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MGRC: +334. 3%, TRNS: +769. 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 TRNS and MGRC?
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: TRNS is a small-cap high-growth stock; MGRC is a small-cap quality compounder stock. MGRC pays a dividend while TRNS 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.
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