NWPX Infrastructure (NASDAQ:NWPX) and CSW Industrials (NYSE:CSW) Head to Head Analysis
by Sarita Garza · The Markets DailyNWPX Infrastructure (NASDAQ:NWPX – Get Free Report) and CSW Industrials (NYSE:CSW – Get Free Report) are both industrials companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, profitability, dividends, institutional ownership, risk and earnings.
Institutional & Insider Ownership
80.6% of NWPX Infrastructure shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 82.8% of CSW Industrials shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.3% of NWPX Infrastructure shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.2% of CSW Industrials shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.
Profitability
This table compares NWPX Infrastructure and CSW Industrials’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| NWPX Infrastructure | 8.49% | 12.22% | 7.93% |
| CSW Industrials | 10.34% | 17.41% | 8.90% |
Earnings & Valuation
This table compares NWPX Infrastructure and CSW Industrials”s revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| NWPX Infrastructure | $574.44 million | 1.62 | $35.41 million | $4.99 | 19.31 |
| CSW Industrials | $1.08 billion | 4.39 | $112.04 million | $7.29 | 39.99 |
CSW Industrials has higher revenue and earnings than NWPX Infrastructure. NWPX Infrastructure is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than CSW Industrials, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Risk & Volatility
NWPX Infrastructure has a beta of 1.08, meaning that its stock price is 8% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, CSW Industrials has a beta of 0.81, meaning that its stock price is 19% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Analyst Ratings
This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for NWPX Infrastructure and CSW Industrials, as reported by MarketBeat.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| NWPX Infrastructure | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2.60 |
| CSW Industrials | 0 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 2.56 |
NWPX Infrastructure presently has a consensus target price of $110.00, suggesting a potential upside of 14.14%. CSW Industrials has a consensus target price of $347.57, suggesting a potential upside of 19.22%. Given CSW Industrials’ higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe CSW Industrials is more favorable than NWPX Infrastructure.
Summary
CSW Industrials beats NWPX Infrastructure on 11 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.
About NWPX Infrastructure
Northwest Pipe Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and supply of water-related infrastructure products in North America. It operates in two segments, Engineered Steel Pressure Pipe (SPP) and Precast Infrastructure and Engineered Systems (Precast). The SPP segment offers large-diameter and high-pressure steel pipeline systems for use in water infrastructure applications, which are primarily related to drinking water systems. Its products are also used for hydroelectric power systems, wastewater systems, seismic resiliency, and other applications. In addition, this segment makes products for industrial plant piping systems and certain structural applications. The Precast segment provides stormwater and wastewater technology products, precast, and reinforced concrete products, including reinforced concrete pipe, manholes, box culverts, vaults and catch basins, pump lift stations, oil water separators, biofiltration units, steel casing pipes, and bar-wrapped concrete cylinder pipes, as well as pipeline system joints, fittings, specialized components, and other environmental and engineered solutions. The company sells its water infrastructure products under ParkUSA, Geneva Pipe and Precast, Permalok, and Northwest Pipe Company brands primarily to installation contractors. Northwest Pipe Company was incorporated in 1966 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Washington.
About CSW Industrials
CSW Industrials, Inc. operates as a diversified industrial company in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Contractor Solutions, Engineered Building Solutions, and Specialized Reliability Solutions. The Contractor Solutions segment provides condensate pads, pans, pumps, switches, and traps; cements, diffusers, grilles, registers, solvents, thread sealants, and vents; line set covers; refrigerant caps; wire pulling head tools; electrical protection, chemical maintenance, and installation supplies for HVAC; ductless mini-split systems installation support tools and accessories; and drain waste and vent system products for use in HVAC/R, plumbing, general industrial, architecturally specified building products. The Engineered Building Solutions segment offers architectural railings and associated services; fire and smoke protection solutions; and pre-engineered and custom architectural building components for use in architecturally specified building products. The Specialized Reliability Solutions segment provides compounds, lubricants, lubricant management products, and sealants; desiccant breather filtration products; and contamination control, industrial maintenance and repair, rail friction modifiers, sealants, and operations solutions for use in energy, general industrial, mining, and rail transportation. The company was incorporated in 2014 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.