STRL vs. ESE

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

STRL (Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.) and ESE (ESCO Technologies Inc.) are both stocks. STRL operates in Engineering & Construction (Industrials), while ESE operates in Scientific & Technical Instruments (Technology). Over the past 10 years, STRL returned 67.37%/yr vs 23.22%/yr for ESE. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

STRL vs. ESE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL) and ESCO Technologies Inc. (ESE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, STRL achieves a 180.50% return, which is significantly higher than ESE's 60.68% return. Over the past 10 years, STRL has outperformed ESE with an annualized return of 67.37%, while ESE has yielded a comparatively lower 23.22% annualized return.

STRL

• 1D: 2.44%
• 1M: 1.20%
• YTD: 180.50%
• 6M: 172.57%
• 1Y: 323.17%
• 3Y*: 152.83%
• 5Y*: 104.12%
• 10Y*: 67.37%

ESE

• 1D: -0.69%
• 1M: 8.23%
• YTD: 60.68%
• 6M: 53.77%
• 1Y: 70.76%
• 3Y*: 47.58%
• 5Y*: 28.75%
• 10Y*: 23.22%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

STRL vs. ESE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
STRL Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.	180.50%	81.79%	91.57%	168.08%	24.71%	41.32%	32.17%	29.29%	-33.11%	92.43%
ESE ESCO Technologies Inc.	60.68%	46.96%	14.15%	34.13%	-2.30%	-12.59%	12.01%	41.00%	10.04%	6.79%

Correlation

The correlation between STRL and ESE is 0.53, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 18, 1995	0.28

Over the past year, STRL and ESE have become more correlated (0.53) than their long-term average of 0.28, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Fundamentals

Market Cap STRL : $26.66B ESE : $8.13B
EPS STRL : $11.19 ESE : $11.89
PE Ratio STRL : 76.77 ESE : 26.38
PEG Ratio STRL : 1.63 ESE : 0.43
PS Ratio STRL : 9.22 ESE : 6.51
PB Ratio STRL : 22.41 ESE : 5.07
Total Revenue (TTM) STRL : $2.88B ESE : $1.25B
Gross Profit (TTM) STRL : $664.66M ESE : $271.43M
EBITDA (TTM) STRL : $429.99M ESE : $238.72M

Return for Risk

STRL vs. ESE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

STRL

STRL Risk / Return Rank: 97
STRL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
STRL Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
STRL Omega Ratio Rank: 95
STRL Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
STRL Martin Ratio Rank: 98

ESE

ESE Risk / Return Rank: 90
ESE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
ESE Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
ESE Omega Ratio Rank: 87
ESE Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
ESE Martin Ratio Rank: 91

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

STRL vs. ESE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL) and ESCO Technologies Inc. (ESE). 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.

	STRL	ESE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.92	2.22	+1.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.04	2.87	+1.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.54	1.36	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	10.41	4.53	+5.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	28.52	11.86	+16.67

STRL vs. ESE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STRL Sharpe Ratio is 3.92, which is higher than the ESE Sharpe Ratio of 2.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STRL and ESE, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

STRL vs. ESE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STRL drawdown since its inception was -92.51%, which is greater than ESE's maximum drawdown of -58.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STRL and ESE.

Drawdown Indicators

	STRL	ESE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-92.51%	-58.54%	-33.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-31.02%	-15.22%	-15.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-47.67%	-17.52%	-30.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.67%	-36.88%	-10.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-59.60%	-45.97%	-13.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.56%	-7.55%	-6.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-46.29%	-20.25%	-26.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.30%	5.80%	+5.50%

Volatility

STRL vs. ESE - Volatility Comparison

Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL) has a higher volatility of 27.60% compared to ESCO Technologies Inc. (ESE) at 8.56%. This indicates that STRL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ESE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STRL	ESE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	27.60%	8.56%	+19.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	65.26%	25.29%	+39.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	82.41%	31.04%	+51.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	57.29%	30.40%	+26.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	53.58%	30.53%	+23.05%

Dividends

STRL vs. ESE - Dividend Comparison

STRL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ESE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.10%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ESE ESCO Technologies Inc.	0.10%	0.16%	0.24%	0.27%	0.37%	0.27%	0.31%	0.43%	0.49%	0.40%	0.56%	0.89%
STRL Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Financials

STRL vs. ESE - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. and ESCO Technologies Inc. over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

STRL - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. reported a gross profit of 194.30M and revenue of 825.68M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 23.5%.

ESE - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, ESCO Technologies Inc. reported a gross profit of -119.92M and revenue of 309.34M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was -38.8%.

STRL - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. reported an operating income of 2.36M and revenue of 825.68M, resulting in an operating margin of 0.3%.

ESE - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, ESCO Technologies Inc. reported an operating income of 23.86M and revenue of 309.34M, resulting in an operating margin of 7.7%.

STRL - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. reported a net income of 95.97M and revenue of 825.68M, resulting in a net margin of 11.6%.

ESE - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, ESCO Technologies Inc. reported a net income of 34.73M and revenue of 309.34M, resulting in a net margin of 11.2%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STRL and ESE in my portfolio?

STRL and ESE have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STRL or ESE?

STRL has higher volatility (27.60%) compared to ESE (8.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STRL dropped -92.51% vs ESE's -58.54%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

STRL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.92 vs 2.22), 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.