WMS vs PNR vs ITRI vs NWPX

For growth investors, NWPX Infrastructure, Inc.

(NWPX) is the stronger pick with 6. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -3. 0% for Itron, Inc. (ITRI). Itron, Inc. (ITRI) offers the better valuation at 12. 5x trailing P/E (13. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (WMS) a "Hold" — based on 22 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, Itron, Inc.

(ITRI) is the cheapest at 12. 5x versus NWPX Infrastructure, Inc. at 30. 8x. On forward P/E, Itron, Inc. is actually cheaper at 13. 5x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Pentair plc wins at 1. 13x versus NWPX Infrastructure, Inc. 's 1. 98x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.

Over the past 5 years, NWPX Infrastructure, Inc.

(NWPX) delivered a total return of +238. 0%, compared to -7. 2% for Itron, Inc. (ITRI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NWPX returned +1040% versus ITRI's +94. 4%. 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), Pentair plc (PNR) is the lower-risk stock at 1.

22β versus Itron, Inc. 's 1. 53β — meaning ITRI is approximately 25% more volatile than PNR relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, NWPX Infrastructure, Inc. (NWPX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 26% versus 88% for Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), NWPX Infrastructure, Inc.

(NWPX) is pulling ahead at 6. 8% versus -3. 0% for Itron, Inc. (ITRI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Itron, Inc. grew EPS 25. 7% year-over-year, compared to -10. 7% for Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ITRI leads at 9. 7% 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.

Pentair plc (PNR) is the more profitable company, earning 15.

7% net margin versus 6. 7% for NWPX Infrastructure, Inc. — meaning it keeps 15. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: WMS leads at 22. 6% versus 9. 7% for NWPX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — PNR leads at 40. 5%, 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, Pentair plc (PNR) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 13x versus NWPX Infrastructure, Inc. 's 1. 98x. A PEG below 1. 5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, Itron, Inc. (ITRI) trades at 13. 5x forward P/E versus 25. 9x for NWPX Infrastructure, Inc. — 12. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ITRI: 68. 8% to $137. 00.

In this comparison, PNR (1.

3% yield), WMS (0. 4% yield) pay a dividend. ITRI, NWPX do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, NWPX Infrastructure, Inc.

(NWPX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 29), +1040% 10Y return). Itron, Inc. (ITRI) carries a higher beta of 1. 53 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (NWPX: +1040%, ITRI: +94. 4%), 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (WMS (Industrials) and PNR (Industrials) and ITRI (Technology) and NWPX (Industrials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: WMS is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; PNR is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; ITRI is a small-cap deep-value stock; NWPX is a small-cap quality compounder stock. PNR pays a dividend while WMS, ITRI, NWPX 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.