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IESC vs STRL
Which Stock Would AI Choose? IES Holdings, Inc. (IESC) vs. Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both IESC and STRL have posted robust year-to-date gains in recent market activity, with STRL leading at approximately 72% compared to IESC's 56%.
- IESC experienced a sharp price surge following its fiscal Q2 2026 earnings release, highlighting strength in electrical and data center services.
- STRL has drawn positive analyst attention, including overweight initiations, amid e-infrastructure demand.
- Tickeron's AI analysis rates STRL as a long-term StrongBuy versus IESC's Hold, with STRL showing stronger short-term technical signals.
- STRL boasts a larger market cap around $16 billion and higher one-year returns near 229%, edging out IESC's $12 billion cap and 187% gain.
- Both operate in the engineering and construction sector but differ in focus: IESC on electrical systems, STRL on broader civil infrastructure.
Introduction
In the booming infrastructure and data center sectors, IESC and STRL stand out as high-growth stocks for traders and investors eyeing construction and engineering plays. This comparison analyzes their business models, recent momentum, and relative performance amid rising demand for electrical systems, e-infrastructure, and transportation projects. Growth-oriented investors tracking industrials may find value in understanding their contrasts in exposure to AI-driven data centers and public infrastructure spending, as both have significantly outperformed broader markets in recent months. Key metrics reveal trade-offs in valuation, risk, and catalysts shaping their trajectories.
IESC Overview and Recent Performance
IESC, or IES Holdings, Inc., specializes in designing and installing integrated electrical and technology systems, alongside infrastructure products like electric motors and enclosures. Its segments include Communications for data centers and smart buildings, Residential for electrical and HVAC services, Infrastructure Solutions, and Commercial & Industrial. In recent market activity, the stock has surged, reaching new highs around $610 with a market cap of about $12 billion. Year-to-date gains stand at 56%, driven by strong fiscal Q2 2026 results and demand in data centers. Sentiment has been bolstered by the company's profit margins near 10% and return on equity (ROE, a measure of profitability relative to shareholders' equity) of 42%, though its P/E ratio (price-to-earnings, indicating valuation relative to earnings) of 36 reflects premium pricing amid volatility with a beta of 1.67.
STRL Overview and Recent Performance
STRL, or Sterling Infrastructure, Inc., provides e-infrastructure, transportation, and building solutions across the U.S. Its segments encompass E-Infrastructure Solutions for data centers and manufacturing sites, Transportation for highways and bridges, and Building for concrete foundations. Trading around $526 with a $16 billion market cap, the stock has shown steady gains in recent weeks. Year-to-date performance reaches 72%, with one-year returns near 229%, fueled by analyst upgrades and sector tailwinds like infrastructure projects. Key drivers include 12% profit margins and ROE of 32%, though a higher P/E of 56 signals stretched valuations, balanced by a beta of 1.51.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
IESC and STRL both thrive in engineering and construction but diverge in focus: IESC emphasizes electrical integration for data centers and industrial sites, while STRL offers broader exposure via civil transportation and e-infrastructure development. Growth drivers overlap in data center booms but STRL benefits more from highways and public works. Recent momentum favors STRL's higher YTD and one-year gains, with closer correlation (74%) reflecting shared sector trends. Risk profiles are comparable, with betas around 1.5-1.7 indicating market sensitivity, though STRL's larger cash position offsets higher debt. Valuation sees STRL at a premium P/E despite IESC's superior revenue scale. Market sentiment tilts toward STRL via recent analyst coverage, positioning it for potential stability amid infrastructure catalysts.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors STRL over IESC, citing its StrongBuy long-term rating versus IESC's Hold, bolstered by superior short-term technical indicators like MACD and Bollinger Bands signals, plus consistent outperformance in recent returns and industry growth alignment. While both exhibit strong trend consistency, STRL's relative positioning suggests higher probability of continued upside in the current environment.
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 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 IESC is a Buy and STRL is a StrongBuy.
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).
IESC’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileSTRL’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- IESC’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- STRL’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 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.
IESC’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while STRL’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s).
- IESC’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
- STRL’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
IESC (@Engineering & Construction) experienced а +3.04% price change this week, while STRL (@Engineering & Construction) price change was -3.83% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Engineering & Construction industry was -1.06%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -5.01%, and the average quarterly price growth was +12.75%.
Reported Earning Dates
IESC is expected to report earnings on Jul 31, 2026.
STRL is expected to report earnings on Aug 10, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Engineering & Construction (-1.06% weekly)Engineering & Construction includes companies that engage in non-residential construction and contract services, including ventilation, heating and air conditioning (HVAC) services. The level/value of construction & engineering activity is one of the potentially relevant indicators of the health of businesses, and hence of the overall economy. Some of the large-cap U.S. companies in this industry include Jacobs Engineering Group Inc,, AECOM and Quanta Services, Inc.
| IESC | STRL | IESC / STRL | |
| Capitalization | 14.5B | 25.8B | 56% |
| EBITDA | 537M | 590M | 91% |
| Gain YTD | 86.700 | 174.960 | 50% |
| P/E Ratio | 38.74 | 75.25 | 51% |
| Revenue | 3.63B | 2.89B | 126% |
| Total Cash | 263M | 512M | 51% |
| Total Debt | 107M | 342M | 31% |
IESC | STRL | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 83 | 35 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 82 Overvalued | 91 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 4 | 3 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 100 | 100 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 36 | 34 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 15 | 5 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | n/a | 50 |
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.
IESC's Valuation (82) in the Engineering And Construction industry is in the same range as STRL (91). This means that IESC’s stock grew similarly to STRL’s over the last 12 months.
STRL's Profit vs Risk Rating (3) in the Engineering And Construction industry is in the same range as IESC (4). This means that STRL’s stock grew similarly to IESC’s over the last 12 months.
STRL's SMR Rating (100) in the Engineering And Construction industry is in the same range as IESC (100). This means that STRL’s stock grew similarly to IESC’s over the last 12 months.
STRL's Price Growth Rating (34) in the Engineering And Construction industry is in the same range as IESC (36). This means that STRL’s stock grew similarly to IESC’s over the last 12 months.
STRL's P/E Growth Rating (5) in the Engineering And Construction industry is in the same range as IESC (15). This means that STRL’s stock grew similarly to IESC’s over the last 12 months.
| IESC | STRL | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 64% | 1 day ago 55% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 70% | 1 day ago 62% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 83% | 1 day ago 84% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 85% | 1 day ago 62% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 85% | 1 day ago 68% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 84% | 1 day ago 79% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 85% | 7 days ago 82% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 10 days ago 68% | 20 days ago 71% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 68% | 1 day ago 69% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 86% | 1 day ago 80% |
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IESC and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, IESC has been closely correlated with FIX. These tickers have moved in lockstep 73% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if IESC jumps, then FIX could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To IESC | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IESC | 100% | -1.17% | ||
| FIX - IESC | 73% Closely correlated | -1.11% | ||
| PWR - IESC | 67% Closely correlated | -0.27% | ||
| EME - IESC | 67% Closely correlated | +0.48% | ||
| MTZ - IESC | 65% Loosely correlated | -2.38% | ||
| STRL - IESC | 64% Loosely correlated | -5.59% | ||
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STRL and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, STRL has been closely correlated with PWR. These tickers have moved in lockstep 76% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if STRL jumps, then PWR could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To STRL | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STRL | 100% | -5.59% | ||
| PWR - STRL | 76% Closely correlated | -0.27% | ||
| FIX - STRL | 67% Closely correlated | -1.11% | ||
| ECG - STRL | 65% Loosely correlated | -4.03% | ||
| IESC - STRL | 64% Loosely correlated | -1.17% | ||
| MTZ - STRL | 63% Loosely correlated | -2.38% | ||
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