APG vs MYRG vs PWR vs MTZ vs WLDN vs KO

For growth investors, Willdan Group, Inc.

(WLDN) is the stronger pick with 20. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 1. 9% for The Coca-Cola Company (KO). The Coca-Cola Company (KO) offers the better valuation at 27. 2x trailing P/E (25. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate APi Group Corporation (APG) a "Buy" — 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.

On trailing P/E, The Coca-Cola Company (KO) is the cheapest at 27.

2x versus Quanta Services, Inc. at 104. 1x. On forward P/E, Willdan Group, Inc. is actually cheaper at 23. 4x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: The Coca-Cola Company wins at 2. 26x versus MasTec, Inc. 's 13. 85x.

Over the past 5 years, Quanta Services, Inc.

(PWR) delivered a total return of +673. 6%, compared to +65. 6% for The Coca-Cola Company (KO). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PWR returned +29. 8% versus KO's +121. 1%. 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), The Coca-Cola Company (KO) is the lower-risk stock at -0.

20β versus Willdan Group, Inc. 's 1. 99β — meaning WLDN is approximately -1094% more volatile than KO relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Quanta Services, Inc. (PWR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 13% versus 133% for The Coca-Cola Company — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Willdan Group, Inc.

(WLDN) is pulling ahead at 20. 5% versus 1. 9% for The Coca-Cola Company (KO). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: MYR Group Inc. grew EPS 311. 5% year-over-year, compared to -23. 2% for APi Group 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.

The Coca-Cola Company (KO) is the more profitable company, earning 27.

3% net margin versus 2. 8% for MasTec, Inc. — meaning it keeps 27. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: KO leads at 28. 7% versus 4. 4% for MYRG. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — KO leads at 61. 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.

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, The Coca-Cola Company (KO) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 2. 26x versus MasTec, Inc. 's 13. 85x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Willdan Group, Inc. (WLDN) trades at 23. 4x forward P/E versus 50. 5x for Quanta Services, Inc. — 27. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for APG: 24. 0% to $52. 50.

In this comparison, KO (2.

5% yield) pays a dividend. APG, MYRG, PWR, MTZ, WLDN do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, The Coca-Cola Company (KO) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0.

20), 2. 5% yield, +121. 1% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (KO: +121. 1%, PWR: +29. 8%), 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 (APG (Industrials) and MYRG (Industrials) and PWR (Industrials) and MTZ (Industrials) and WLDN (Industrials) and KO (Consumer Defensive)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: APG is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; MYRG is a small-cap quality compounder stock; PWR is a mid-cap high-growth stock; MTZ is a mid-cap high-growth stock; WLDN is a small-cap high-growth stock; KO is a large-cap quality compounder stock. KO pays a dividend while APG, MYRG, PWR, MTZ, WLDN 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.