Friedman Industries (FRD) vs NWPX Infrastructure (NWPX)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Friedman Industries (FRD) has outperformed NWPX Infrastructure (NWPX) over the past year, gaining 111.9% versus a gain of 105.4%. Over five years, NWPX leads with a +324.1% price change compared with +239.3% for FRD. NWPX Infrastructure is the larger company by market cap ($992.2 million vs $310.1 million), about 3.2 times the size.
On valuation, Friedman Industries trades at a lower trailing P/E (11.1x vs 20.7x for NWPX Infrastructure). Friedman Industries pays a dividend yielding 0.37%, while NWPX Infrastructure does not currently pay one.
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 | FRD | NWPX |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $42.99 | $102.96 |
| Market cap | $310.08M | $992.25M |
| 1-day change | +1.69% | -2.39% |
| YTD return | +109.81% | +64.76% |
| 1-year return | +111.88% | +105.43% |
| 5-year return | +239.31% | +324.05% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 11.05 | 20.72 |
| Forward P/E | — | 19.67 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.89 | $4.97 |
| Dividend yield | 0.37% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.16 | $0.00 |
| 52-week high | $48.77 | $152.03 |
| 52-week low | $16.55 | $49.25 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -11.85% | -32.28% |
| Analyst consensus | — | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | — | +7.81% |
| Average volume | 75.52K | 164.13K |
| Shares outstanding | 7.21M | 9.64M |
| Employees | 381 | 1,318 |
| Sector | Basic Materials | Basic Materials |
| Industry | Steel | Steel |
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
- NWPX Infrastructure is about 3.2 times larger than Friedman Industries by market value ($992.25M vs $310.08M).
- NWPX Infrastructure trades at a higher earnings multiple (20.7x vs 11.1x trailing P/E).
About Friedman Industries
FRD stock →Friedman Industries, Incorporated engages in the manufacture and processing of steel products in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Flat-Roll Products and Tubular Products.
Basic Materials · Steel · 381 employees
About NWPX Infrastructure
NWPX stock →NWPX Infrastructure, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells water-related infrastructure products in the United States and Canada. It operates through two segments, Water Transmission Systems (WTS); and Precast Infrastructure and Engineered Systems (Precast).
Basic Materials · Steel · 1,318 employees
FRD vs NWPX FAQ
Which is bigger, Friedman Industries or NWPX Infrastructure?
NWPX Infrastructure (NWPX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $992.25M compared with $310.08M for Friedman Industries (FRD).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, FRD or NWPX?
FRD returned +111.88% over the past 12 months, compared with +105.43% for NWPX (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, FRD or NWPX?
FRD has the lower trailing P/E at 11.1, versus 20.7 for NWPX. 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, Friedman Industries or NWPX Infrastructure?
Friedman Industries pays a dividend yielding 0.37%, while NWPX Infrastructure does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Friedman Industries and NWPX Infrastructure in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Steel industry within the Basic Materials sector.