ZWS vs LIQT

For growth investors, LiqTech International, Inc.

(LIQT) is the stronger pick with 13. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 8. 3% for Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation (ZWS). Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation (ZWS) offers the better valuation at 45. 6x trailing P/E (29. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation (ZWS) a "Hold" — 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.

Over the past 5 years, Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation (ZWS) delivered a total return of +108.

0%, compared to -96. 1% for LiqTech International, Inc. (LIQT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ZWS returned +435. 0% versus LIQT's -90. 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), LiqTech International, Inc.

(LIQT) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 52β versus Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation's 1. 11β — meaning ZWS is approximately 111% more volatile than LIQT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation (ZWS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 36% versus 117% for LiqTech International, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), LiqTech International, Inc.

(LIQT) is pulling ahead at 13. 0% versus 8. 3% for Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation (ZWS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: LiqTech International, Inc. grew EPS 45. 7% year-over-year, compared to 21. 7% for Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, ZWS leads at 9. 8% 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.

Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation (ZWS) is the more profitable company, earning 11.

7% net margin versus -51. 7% for LiqTech International, Inc. — meaning it keeps 11. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ZWS leads at 17. 0% versus -50. 3% for LIQT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ZWS leads at 41. 6%, 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.

In this comparison, ZWS (0.

7% yield) pays a dividend. LIQT does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation (ZWS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.

11), 0. 7% yield, +435. 0% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ZWS: +435. 0%, LIQT: -90. 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.

ZWS pays a dividend while LIQT 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.