AECOM (ACM) vs Sterling Infrastructure (STRL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) has outperformed AECOM (ACM) over the past year, gaining 53.2% versus a loss of 55.0%. Over five years, STRL leads with a +2212.3% price change compared with -8.2% for ACM. Sterling Infrastructure is the larger company by market cap ($16.34 billion vs $7.50 billion), about 2.2 times the size.
On valuation, AECOM trades at a lower forward P/E (9.1x vs 21.0x for Sterling Infrastructure). AECOM pays a dividend yielding 2.04%, while Sterling Infrastructure does not currently pay one. Sterling Infrastructure converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 11.7% versus 3.5%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ACM | STRL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $58.28 | $534.13 |
| Market cap | $7.50B | $16.34B |
| 1-day change | -3.13% | -5.24% |
| YTD return | -38.86% | +74.42% |
| 1-year return | -54.97% | +53.23% |
| 5-year return | -8.22% | +2212.25% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.52 | 38.48 |
| Forward P/E | 9.11 | 21.03 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.84 | $13.88 |
| Dividend yield | 2.04% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $1.19 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $16.14B | $2.49B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +0.21% | +17.69% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $561.77M | $290.15M |
| Gross margin | 7.54% | 22.98% |
| Operating margin | 6.36% | 16.30% |
| Net margin | 3.48% | 11.65% |
| 52-week high | $135.52 | $1,005.68 |
| 52-week low | $56.39 | $281.58 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -57.00% | -46.89% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +47.70% | +58.28% |
| Average volume | 1.93M | 652.16K |
| Shares outstanding | 128.70M | 30.59M |
| Employees | 51,000 | 6,200 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Industrials |
| Industry | Military/Government/Technical | Military/Government/Technical |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Sterling Infrastructure is about 2.2 times larger than AECOM by market value ($16.34B vs $7.50B).
- STRL has outperformed ACM by 108.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Sterling Infrastructure trades at a higher earnings multiple (38.5x vs 20.5x trailing P/E).
- AECOM offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.04% vs 0.00%).
- Sterling Infrastructure is more profitable, keeping 11.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 3.5 cents for AECOM.
- Sterling Infrastructure grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+17.69% vs +0.21%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: AECOM in Consumer Discretionary and Sterling Infrastructure in Industrials.
About AECOM
ACM stock →AECOM, together with its subsidiaries, provides professional infrastructure consulting services for governments, businesses, and organizations internationally. The company operates in three segments: Americas, International, and AECOM Capital.
Consumer Discretionary · Military/Government/Technical · 51,000 employees
About Sterling Infrastructure
STRL stock →Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. engages in the provision of e-infrastructure, transportation, and building solutions in the United States.
Industrials · Military/Government/Technical · 6,200 employees
ACM vs STRL FAQ
Which is bigger, AECOM or Sterling Infrastructure?
Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $16.34B compared with $7.50B for AECOM (ACM).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ACM or STRL?
STRL returned +53.23% over the past 12 months, compared with -54.97% for ACM (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ACM or STRL?
ACM has the lower trailing P/E at 20.5, versus 38.5 for STRL. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, AECOM or Sterling Infrastructure?
AECOM pays a dividend yielding 2.04%, while Sterling Infrastructure does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are AECOM and Sterling Infrastructure in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Military/Government/Technical industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.