MDU vs. TRN
MDU (MDU Resources Group, Inc.) and TRN (Trinity Industries, Inc.) are both stocks. MDU operates in Building Materials (Basic Materials), while TRN operates in Railroads (Industrials). Over the past 10 years, MDU returned 11.57%/yr vs 10.19%/yr for TRN. Their 0.34 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship.
Performance
MDU vs. TRN - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MDU achieves a 3.58% return, which is significantly lower than TRN's 21.61% return. Over the past 10 years, MDU has outperformed TRN with an annualized return of 11.57%, while TRN has yielded a comparatively lower 10.19% annualized return.
MDU
- 1D
- -0.10%
- 1M
- -3.67%
- 6M
- -1.42%
- YTD
- 3.58%
- 1Y
- 20.10%
- 3Y*
- 21.09%
- 5Y*
- 13.80%
- 10Y*
- 11.57%
- ALL TIME*
- 11.24%
TRN
- 1D
- -8.97%
- 1M
- -7.65%
- 6M
- 10.63%
- YTD
- 21.61%
- 1Y
- 34.52%
- 3Y*
- 11.27%
- 5Y*
- 6.94%
- 10Y*
- 10.19%
- ALL TIME*
- 7.45%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $23.81M | $27.09M | $35.67M | |
| $30.52M | $27.99M | $26.69M |
MDU vs. TRN - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MDU MDU Resources Group, Inc. | 3.58% | 11.77% | 68.01% | -1.94% | 1.46% | 20.37% | -8.31% | 28.44% | -8.64% | -3.87% |
TRN Trinity Industries, Inc. | 21.61% | -21.48% | 37.18% | -6.24% | 1.48% | 17.93% | 23.82% | 11.09% | -22.50% | 37.18% |
Correlation
The correlation between MDU and TRN is 0.21, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.21 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.39 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.46 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.41 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 30, 1987 | 0.34 |
The correlation between MDU and TRN shifts across timeframes, from 0.21 (1 year) to 0.46 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
MDU:
$4.17B
TRN:
$2.48B
MDU:
$0.92
TRN:
$4.20
MDU:
21.71
TRN:
7.44
MDU:
2.28
TRN:
1.25
MDU:
1.42
TRN:
2.23
MDU:
$1.81B
TRN:
$2.04B
MDU:
$848.35M
TRN:
$531.90M
MDU:
$528.72M
TRN:
$1.04B
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
MDU vs. TRN — Risk / Return Rank
MDU
TRN
MDU vs. TRN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MDU Resources Group, Inc. (MDU) and Trinity Industries, Inc. (TRN). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| MDU | TRN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.23 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.49 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.22 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.61 | 2.21 | -0.60 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.65 | 6.13 | -2.49 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
MDU vs. TRN - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MDU drawdown since its inception was -62.17%, smaller than the maximum TRN drawdown of -86.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MDU and TRN.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| MDU | TRN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -62.17% | -86.22% | +24.05% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.92% | -17.94% | +6.02% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -21.48% | -39.58% | +18.10% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.69% | -39.58% | +16.89% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -51.41% | -45.21% | -6.20% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -11.92% | -17.94% | +6.02% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.30% | -31.59% | +17.29% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.24% | 6.45% | -1.21% |
Volatility
MDU vs. TRN - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for MDU Resources Group, Inc. (MDU) is 5.26%, while Trinity Industries, Inc. (TRN) has a volatility of 15.65%. This indicates that MDU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TRN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| MDU | TRN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.26% | 15.65% | -10.39% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.69% | 28.83% | -14.14% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.75% | 36.29% | -14.54% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.99% | 35.75% | -12.76% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.12% | 36.63% | -9.51% |
Dividends
MDU vs. TRN - Dividend Comparison
MDU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.81%, less than TRN's 3.94% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MDU MDU Resources Group, Inc. | 2.81% | 2.77% | 1.89% | 3.16% | 2.88% | 2.77% | 3.17% | 2.74% | 3.33% | 2.88% | 2.62% | 4.01% |
TRN Trinity Industries, Inc. | 3.94% | 4.54% | 3.19% | 3.91% | 3.11% | 2.78% | 2.88% | 2.89% | 1.82% | 1.28% | 1.59% | 1.75% |
Financials
MDU vs. TRN - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between MDU Resources Group, Inc. and Trinity Industries, Inc.. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
MDU vs. TRN - Profitability Comparison
MDU - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, MDU Resources Group, Inc. reported a gross profit of 491.20M and revenue of 606.00M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 81.1%.
TRN - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Trinity Industries, Inc. reported a gross profit of 109.90M and revenue of 485.10M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 22.7%.
MDU - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, MDU Resources Group, Inc. reported an operating income of 115.70M and revenue of 606.00M, resulting in an operating margin of 19.1%.
TRN - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Trinity Industries, Inc. reported an operating income of 58.80M and revenue of 485.10M, resulting in an operating margin of 12.1%.
MDU - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, MDU Resources Group, Inc. reported a net income of 80.80M and revenue of 606.00M, resulting in a net margin of 13.3%.
TRN - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Trinity Industries, Inc. reported a net income of 102.20M and revenue of 485.10M, resulting in a net margin of 21.1%.
Frequently Asked Questions
MDU and TRN have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
TRN has higher volatility (15.65%) compared to MDU (5.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MDU dropped -62.17% vs TRN's -86.22%.
TRN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.11 vs 0.88), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
Find the right allocation for MDU and TRN
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer