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HLMN vs PNR
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Hillman Solutions Corp. (HLMN) vs. Pentair plc (PNR) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both HLMN and PNR operate in the Industrials sector, but HLMN focuses on hardware tools and accessories while PNR specializes in water treatment and filtration equipment.
- HLMN's market cap stands at approximately $1.73 billion, significantly smaller than PNR's $14.98 billion, reflecting differing scales of operation.
- Recent acquisitions by HLMN, including Delaney Hardware and Campbell Chain, have bolstered its growth in pro distribution and MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) categories.
- PNR shows stronger profitability with a 15.66% profit margin and 17.48% return on equity (ROE), compared to HLMN's 2.60% margin and 3.34% ROE.
- PNR has delivered year-to-date (YTD) gains of 11.41%, outperforming HLMN's 1.73%, amid recent market recovery.
- Analyst targets suggest higher upside potential for HLMN at $12.12 (37% from current levels) versus PNR's $110 (20% upside).
Introduction
This stock comparison examines HLMN and PNR, two Industrials sector players offering distinct exposure within hardware solutions and water management. Traders seeking relative performance insights or sector rotation opportunities, as well as long-term investors evaluating growth drivers versus stability, will find value in analyzing their recent trajectories, financial metrics, and market positioning. With both companies approaching quarterly earnings, this analysis highlights contrasts in momentum, risk profiles, and strategic developments amid evolving industrial demand.
HLMN Overview and Recent Performance
Hillman Solutions Corp. (HLMN) is a leading provider of hardware products, including keys, key duplication systems, and fasteners, primarily serving retail and professional channels. In recent market activity, the stock has traded in the $8-9 range, reflecting stability post its record 2025 full-year sales of $1.55 billion. Key influences include strategic acquisitions such as Delaney Hardware for door hardware expansion and Campbell Chain & Fittings to strengthen industrial MRO presence, alongside recognition as a 2026 USA TODAY Top Workplaces award recipient. These moves have supported positive sentiment, with Q4 2025 earnings meeting EPS (earnings per share) estimates at $0.10 and adjusted EBITDA up 13.9%. Trading volume averages 1.63 million shares, with a beta of 1.64 indicating higher volatility, and a forward P/E (price-to-earnings) ratio of 14.41 signaling potential value.
PNR Overview and Recent Performance
Pentair plc (PNR) designs and manufactures water solutions for pools, aquaculture, and industrial applications. Recent weeks have seen the stock recover with a 9.24% one-month gain, trading around $91-92 after earlier pullbacks, supported by YTD returns of 11.41%. Sentiment has been tempered by analyst price target reductions from firms like Bank of America ($88) and Stifel/Citi ahead of Q1 earnings, citing limited near-term catalysts amid softer demand expectations. Financials remain robust, with trailing twelve-month (TTM) revenue of $4.18 billion, EPS of $3.93, and a PE ratio of 23.35. Average volume is 1.73 million shares, beta at 1.24 reflects moderate volatility, and ROE stands at 17.48%, underscoring operational efficiency.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
HLMN and PNR share Industrials sector exposure but diverge in business models: HLMN emphasizes distributed hardware essentials with M&A-driven growth, while PNR leverages specialized water infrastructure for recurring industrial demand. Growth drivers contrast with HLMN's acquisition momentum versus PNR's reliance on market recovery. Recent momentum favors PNR's YTD gains and one-month rebound, though HLMN shows steadier trading post-earnings. Risk factors include HLMN's elevated beta and debt-to-equity (62.24%) versus PNR's balanced leverage (45.65%). Market sentiment tilts positive for HLMN on deal news, while PNR contends with cautious analyst revisions, highlighting trade-offs in scale, stability, and catalysts.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently leans toward HLMN based on trend consistency from recent acquisitions, higher implied upside from analyst targets (37% potential), and positive catalysts amid stable price action. While PNR offers superior margins and scale, its short-term positioning appears constrained by earnings caution. This probabilistic edge favors HLMN for relative outperformance in the near term, subject to market dynamics.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is HLMN is a StrongBuy and PNR is a Buy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
HLMN’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green whilePNR’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- HLMN’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- PNR’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
HLMN’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while PNR’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- HLMN’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- PNR’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
HLMN (@Tools & Hardware) experienced а -1.13% price change this week, while PNR (@Industrial Machinery) price change was -0.24% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Tools & Hardware industry was +0.18%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +6.96%, and the average quarterly price growth was +15.78%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Industrial Machinery industry was +1.96%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +6.28%, and the average quarterly price growth was +10.97%.
Reported Earning Dates
HLMN is expected to report earnings on Aug 11, 2026.
PNR is expected to report earnings on Jul 28, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Tools & Hardware (+0.18% weekly)Tools & Hardware industry includes companies that manufacture security products, storage cabinets, steel rules and tapes, calipers, shoe hook fasteners, lumber, structural materials and other related supplies. Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., Snap-on Incorporated and L.S. Starrett Company are some of the largest, established players in this industry. The industry is also seeing rapid growth in online sales. The proliferation of do-it-yourself (DIY) projects has boosted industry demand. But oil price volatility poses potential risks to this industry, particularly to e-commerce companies which spend on services of shipping companies, which might alter charges based on oil price movements.
@Industrial Machinery (+1.96% weekly)The industry makes and maintains machines for consumers, the industry, and most other companies. While it has traditionally been categorized as heavy industry, some smaller companies are also branching into the light category. The industry is pivotal in providing the equipment for production in businesses like agriculture, mining, industry and construction, gas, electricity and water utilities. It also supplies supporting equipment for almost all sectors of the economy, such as equipment for heating, and air conditioning of buildings. Illinois Tool Works Inc., Parker-Hannifin Corporation and Rockwell Automation Inc are some of the major U.S. companies operating in this industry.
| HLMN | PNR | HLMN / PNR | |
| Capitalization | 1.55B | 12B | 13% |
| EBITDA | 250M | 952M | 26% |
| Gain YTD | -8.891 | -28.518 | 31% |
| P/E Ratio | 43.83 | 18.60 | 236% |
| Revenue | 1.56B | 4.2B | 37% |
| Total Cash | 27.7M | 67.7M | 41% |
| Total Debt | 812M | 2.08B | 39% |
PNR | ||
|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 16 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 18 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 82 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 48 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 63 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 78 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 90 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
| HLMN | PNR | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 78% | 2 days ago 52% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 71% | 2 days ago 57% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 66% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 71% | 2 days ago 64% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 70% | 2 days ago 60% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 70% | 2 days ago 62% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 9 days ago 68% | 8 days ago 58% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 76% | 23 days ago 62% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 84% | N/A |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 77% |
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PNR and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, PNR has been closely correlated with SWK. These tickers have moved in lockstep 69% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if PNR jumps, then SWK could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To PNR | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PNR | 100% | -0.39% | ||
| SWK - PNR | 69% Closely correlated | -0.51% | ||
| ATMU - PNR | 66% Closely correlated | +0.64% | ||
| ZWS - PNR | 66% Loosely correlated | -0.68% | ||
| ROP - PNR | 64% Loosely correlated | -1.56% | ||
| HLMN - PNR | 63% Loosely correlated | -2.11% | ||
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