Sterling Construction Company Inc (STRL)vsTransAlta Corp (TAC)
STRL
Sterling Construction Company Inc
$882.43
-11.20%
INDUSTRIALS · Cap: $26.36B
TAC
TransAlta Corp
$12.68
-2.16%
UTILITIES · Cap: $4.23B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Sterling Construction Company Inc generates 30% more annual revenue ($2.88B vs $2.21B). STRL leads profitability with a 12.0% profit margin vs -7.7%. STRL appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.47. STRL earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 69/100 (B-).
STRL
Strong Buy69
out of 100
Grade: B-
TAC
Avoid33
out of 100
Grade: F
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Revenue surging 91.6% year-over-year
Earnings expanding 141.4% YoY
Every $100 of equity generates 29 in profit
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
No standout strengths identified
Areas to Watch
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
Trading at 24.4x book value
Trading at 11.3x book value
Weak financial health signals
Expensive relative to growth rate
ROE of -12.1% — below average capital efficiency
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : STRL
The strongest argument for STRL centers on Revenue Growth, EPS Growth, Return on Equity. Revenue growth of 91.6% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 1.47 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bull Case : TAC
TAC has a balanced fundamental profile.
Bear Case : STRL
The primary concerns for STRL are P/E Ratio, Price/Book. A P/E of 76.9x leaves little room for execution misses.
Bear Case : TAC
The primary concerns for TAC are Price/Book, Piotroski F-Score, PEG Ratio. Debt-to-equity of 3.17 is elevated, increasing financial risk.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
STRL profiles as a growth stock while TAC is a turnaround play — different risk/reward profiles.
STRL carries more volatility with a beta of 1.82 — expect wider price swings.
STRL is growing revenue faster at 91.6% — sustainability is the question.
STRL generates stronger free cash flow (146M), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
STRL scores higher overall (69/100 vs 33/100) and 91.6% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Avoid" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
Sterling Construction Company Inc
INDUSTRIALS · ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION · USA
Sterling Construction Company, Inc., a construction company, engages in residential construction, specialty services, and heavy civil activities primarily in the southern United States, the Rocky Mountain states, California, and Hawaii. The company is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas.
TransAlta Corp
UTILITIES · UTILITIES - INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS · USA
TransAlta Corporation owns, operates and develops a diverse fleet of electric power generation assets in Canada, the United States and Australia. The company is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.
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