Stantec (STN) 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 Stantec (STN) over the past year, gaining 53.2% versus a loss of 40.0%. Over five years, STRL leads with a +2212.3% price change compared with +35.4% for STN. Sterling Infrastructure is the larger company by market cap ($16.34 billion vs $7.49 billion), about 2.2 times the size.
On valuation, Stantec trades at a lower forward P/E (13.7x vs 21.0x for Sterling Infrastructure). Stantec pays a dividend yielding 1.41%, while Sterling 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 | STN | STRL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $66.67 | $534.13 |
| Market cap | $7.49B | $16.34B |
| 1-day change | -1.29% | -5.24% |
| YTD return | -29.35% | +74.42% |
| 1-year return | -40.01% | +53.23% |
| 5-year return | +35.37% | +2212.25% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.77 | 38.48 |
| Forward P/E | 13.73 | 21.03 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.21 | $13.88 |
| Dividend yield | 1.41% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.94 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $2.49B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +17.69% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $290.15M |
| Gross margin | — | 22.98% |
| Operating margin | — | 16.30% |
| Net margin | — | 11.65% |
| 52-week high | $114.52 | $1,005.68 |
| 52-week low | $65.35 | $281.58 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -41.78% | -46.89% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | — | +58.28% |
| Average volume | 384.84K | 652.77K |
| Shares outstanding | 112.40M | 30.59M |
| Employees | 34,000 | 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 Stantec by market value ($16.34B vs $7.49B).
- STRL has outperformed STN by 93.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Sterling Infrastructure trades at a higher earnings multiple (38.5x vs 20.8x trailing P/E).
- Stantec offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.41% vs 0.00%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Stantec in Consumer Discretionary and Sterling Infrastructure in Industrials.
About Stantec
STN stock →Stantec Inc. provides professional services in the areas of infrastructure and facilities to private and public sectors in Canada, the United States, and internationally.
Consumer Discretionary · Military/Government/Technical · 34,000 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
STN vs STRL FAQ
Which is bigger, Stantec or Sterling Infrastructure?
Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $16.34B compared with $7.49B for Stantec (STN).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, STN or STRL?
STRL returned +53.23% over the past 12 months, compared with -40.01% for STN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, STN or STRL?
STN has the lower trailing P/E at 20.8, 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, Stantec or Sterling Infrastructure?
Stantec pays a dividend yielding 1.41%, while Sterling Infrastructure does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Stantec and Sterling Infrastructure in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Military/Government/Technical industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.