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MLI vs NWPX
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Mueller Industries (MLI) vs. NWPX Infrastructure (NWPX) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- MLI focuses on copper and aluminum piping systems for plumbing, HVACR, and industrial markets, while NWPX specializes in engineered steel water transmission and infrastructure products.
- Both companies operate in the industrials sector with exposure to infrastructure spending and water-related demand, but differ in material focus and end markets.
- NWPX reported strong Q1 2026 results with net sales growth of 19.1% year-over-year and record backlog levels.
- MLI maintains a diversified portfolio across piping systems, industrial metals, and climate products with operations in multiple regions.
- Recent market activity shows NWPX achieving all-time highs amid positive earnings momentum, contrasting with MLI’s more stable but less highlighted performance in the same period.
- Key contrasts include NWPX’s concentrated water infrastructure backlog versus MLI’s broader exposure to construction and OEM applications.
Introduction
This comparison examines MLI and NWPX to highlight differences in business models, recent performance, and market positioning within the industrials sector. Both stocks appeal to investors seeking exposure to infrastructure and manufacturing themes, particularly those monitoring water systems, piping, and related supply chains. Traders evaluating relative momentum, sector catalysts, and operational stability may find the analysis useful for portfolio allocation decisions. The review draws on publicly available financial data and recent developments to provide a factual basis for understanding how these companies compare in the current environment.
MLI Overview and Recent Performance
MLI (Mueller Industries, Inc.) manufactures copper, brass, and aluminum products through segments including Piping Systems, Industrial Metals, and Climate. Its offerings support plumbing, HVACR, industrial manufacturing, and OEM applications across North America and international markets. In recent weeks, the stock has exhibited steady trading within established ranges, influenced by broader industrial demand and commodity price movements in copper and related metals. Sentiment has remained balanced, supported by the company’s vertically integrated operations and diversified end markets, with no major single-event catalysts dominating recent activity.
NWPX Overview and Recent Performance
NWPX (NWPX Infrastructure, Inc., formerly Northwest Pipe Company) produces engineered steel water transmission systems, precast concrete products, and related infrastructure components. The company serves water utilities, wastewater, and stormwater markets primarily in North America. Recent market activity reflects positive momentum following strong first-quarter 2026 results, including 19.1% year-over-year net sales growth and expanded backlog. The stock reached all-time highs in June amid this performance, with investor focus on upcoming second-quarter results scheduled for late July and ongoing infrastructure demand.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
MLI and NWPX both participate in infrastructure-related manufacturing but diverge in core materials and market concentration. MLI benefits from copper and aluminum exposure tied to construction and HVAC cycles, offering geographic diversification, while NWPX maintains a narrower focus on steel water pipe systems with a growing precast segment. Recent momentum favors NWPX following earnings beats and backlog expansion, whereas MLI has shown more measured price behavior without equivalent highlighted catalysts. Risk factors include commodity price volatility for MLI and project timing or government spending dependence for NWPX. Market sentiment reflects greater recent visibility for NWPX amid infrastructure tailwinds.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors including recent earnings consistency, backlog strength, and price momentum, Tickeron’s AI models currently assign higher probabilistic favor to NWPX. The company’s Q1 results and all-time high achievement indicate stronger short-term trend alignment relative to MLI’s steadier but less dynamic profile. This assessment remains probabilistic and subject to evolving data such as upcoming quarterly releases.
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.
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 MLI is a Buy and NWPX 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).
MLI’s FA Score shows that 3 FA rating(s) are green whileNWPX’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- MLI’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
- NWPX’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.
MLI’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while NWPX’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- MLI’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
- NWPX’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 6 bearish.
Price Growth
MLI (@Metal Fabrication) experienced а +3.91% price change this week, while NWPX (@Steel) price change was -4.82% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Metal Fabrication industry was -5.07%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -4.80%, and the average quarterly price growth was +1.13%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Steel industry was -2.97%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +7.02%, and the average quarterly price growth was +4.83%.
Reported Earning Dates
MLI is expected to report earnings on Oct 27, 2026.
NWPX is expected to report earnings on Nov 04, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Metal Fabrication (-5.07% weekly)The industry is involved in value-added processes including creation of metal structures like machines and parts by cutting, bending and assembling, using various raw materials. A fabrication shop often bids on a project/job, and then builds the product if awarded the contract. Robotics and automation are making their way into the industry apparently to fill in skills gap[s19] . RBC Bearings Incorporated, Timken Company and Valmont Industries, Inc. are some of the largest metal fabrication companies in the U.S.
@Steel (-2.97% weekly)The steel industry includes manufacturers of steel and steel-related products. Companies use iron ore and scrap steel to produce steel. The industry also includes companies involved in mining and marketing of steel products. Along with serving some of the domestic markets, U.S. steel output has, over the years, been used by international economies as well. Competition from imported steel has also increased over time. The industry could be susceptible to business cycles, since the element is an important input in industrial production. Some of the globally-renowned steel behemoths include Nucor Corporation, Vale, and ArcelorMittal SA.
| MLI | NWPX | MLI / NWPX | |
| Capitalization | 14.7B | 1.19B | 1,239% |
| EBITDA | 1.19B | 85.5M | 1,393% |
| Gain YTD | 16.740 | 96.960 | 17% |
| P/E Ratio | 17.29 | 24.86 | 70% |
| Revenue | 4.66B | 574M | 812% |
| Total Cash | 1.42B | 19.3M | 7,337% |
| Total Debt | 24.7M | 101M | 24% |
MLI | NWPX | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 33 | 50 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 21 Undervalued | 85 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 5 | 7 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 37 | 65 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 42 | 36 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 26 | 10 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 65 | n/a |
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.
MLI's Valuation (21) in the Metal Fabrication industry is somewhat better than the same rating for NWPX (85). This means that MLI’s stock grew somewhat faster than NWPX’s over the last 12 months.
MLI's Profit vs Risk Rating (5) in the Metal Fabrication industry is in the same range as NWPX (7). This means that MLI’s stock grew similarly to NWPX’s over the last 12 months.
MLI's SMR Rating (37) in the Metal Fabrication industry is in the same range as NWPX (65). This means that MLI’s stock grew similarly to NWPX’s over the last 12 months.
NWPX's Price Growth Rating (36) in the Metal Fabrication industry is in the same range as MLI (42). This means that NWPX’s stock grew similarly to MLI’s over the last 12 months.
NWPX's P/E Growth Rating (10) in the Metal Fabrication industry is in the same range as MLI (26). This means that NWPX’s stock grew similarly to MLI’s over the last 12 months.
| MLI | NWPX | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 54% | 3 days ago 67% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 54% | 3 days ago 76% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 80% | 3 days ago 52% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 84% | 3 days ago 58% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 72% | 3 days ago 58% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 74% | 3 days ago 58% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 73% | 24 days ago 68% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 21 days ago 49% | 5 days ago 59% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 61% | 3 days ago 83% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 39% | 3 days ago 62% |
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NWPX and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, NWPX has been loosely correlated with ESAB. These tickers have moved in lockstep 55% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if NWPX jumps, then ESAB could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To NWPX | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NWPX | 100% | -2.99% | ||
| ESAB - NWPX | 55% Loosely correlated | +1.10% | ||
| PRLB - NWPX | 51% Loosely correlated | -0.12% | ||
| CMC - NWPX | 49% Loosely correlated | +0.45% | ||
| MATW - NWPX | 49% Loosely correlated | N/A | ||
| CRS - NWPX | 48% Loosely correlated | +3.17% | ||
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