Comfort Systems vs. EMCOR: Which HVAC/MEP Stock is the Better Buy Now?

By Sraddha Singha | February 24, 2026, 9:53 AM

The mechanical and electrical market continues to benefit from strong demand trends in data centers, infrastructure and industrial construction. Names like Comfort Systems USA, Inc. FIX and EMCOR Group, Inc. EME are being highlighted amid the favorable fundamentals, highlighting strong backlogs and improving profitability.

Comfort Systems offers installation and contracting services across the HVAC market and is currently focused on seeking opportunities for large-scale projects and investing additional capital in inorganic growth initiatives. Conversely, EMCOR offers mechanical and electrical construction, industrial and energy infrastructure services, with its main focus on streamlining its U.S. operations.

Let’s dive deep and closely compare the fundamentals of the two stocks to determine which one is a better investment now.

The Case for Comfort Systems Stock

Comfort Systems is gaining from a robust public spending scenario in the United States, mainly due to its exposure to large-scale projects. Strong project activity and robust execution across its mechanical and electrical businesses are the main highlights, thanks to modular expansion and substantial organic construction and service growth. As of Dec. 31, 2025, backlog stood at $11.94 billion, up year over year by 99.3% from $5.99 billion. Within the total backlog, the Mechanical Segment contributed 75.6% while the Electrical Segment contributed 24.4%.

The previously announced acquisitions of Feyen-Zylstra Holdings, LLC (Michigan) and Meisner Electric, Inc. (Florida) are an encouraging step toward expanding its market footprint. The transactions were made on Oct. 1, 2025, and are included in its Electrical segment. In 2025, FIX’s revenues grew 29.5% year over year, which included a 3.4% increase related to the Feyen Zylstra, Meisner, Right Way, Century, Summit and J&S acquisitions.

Notably, the Technology end market, which is dominated by data center work, was 45% of FIX’s 2025 revenues, an increase from 33% in 2024. Currently, the company’s modular capacity is about 3 million square feet, which is expected to increase to approximately 4 million square feet by the end of 2026, with planned additions in Texas and North Carolina. Comfort Systems is consistently working on expanding its modular footprint, alongside investing in technology, equipment and training for its amazing workforce.

The operational momentum, disciplined bidding and favorable project mix continue to fuel growth for Comfort Systems. In 2025, the company paid its shareholders $217.9 million through share repurchases and $68.8 million through dividends. Also, it declared a quarterly dividend of 70 cents per share ($2.80 per share annually), reflecting 16.7% growth. It is payable on March 17, 2026, to stockholders as of March 6.

However, Comfort Systems’ growing exposure to hyperscale data centers is a double-edged sword. Any slowdown in AI-driven capital expenditures, project deferrals by cloud providers or power availability constraints could compress backlog growth and utilization.

The Case for EMCOR Stock

EMCOR is also benefiting from the robust trends in the United States public infrastructure market. Its two major segments, the US Electrical and Mechanical Construction and Facilities Services segments, are consistently displaying significant strength amid positive market fundamentals.

As of Sept. 30, 2025, Remaining Performance Obligations (RPOs) were $12.61 billion, indicating 29% year-over-year growth and 25% from Dec. 31, 2024. Increased activity within the network and communications sector, mainly driven by data center construction projects demand trends, with other sectors including healthcare, commercial, manufacturing and industrial, and the high-tech manufacturing sectors are boding well. The diversity in EMCOR’s RPOs is stabilizing its revenue visibility and profitability structure despite ongoing macro uncertainties.

Besides the market’s favorable fundamentals, EME is currently focusing on divesting its U.K. business and streamlining its U.S. operations for better execution across highly profitable markets. In September 2025, EMCOR announced the divestiture of its U.K. Building Services segment, which was completed in December 2025. The segment was acquired by OCS Group UK Limited for a total value of approximately $250 million. This strategic transaction offers EMCOR further financial flexibility to expand its business by redirecting the proceeds into strategic M&A, prefabrication capacity and U.S. project expansion.

Notably, EMCOR’s acquisition strategies are directed toward buying small private firms with proven management and expansion potential. On Feb. 3, 2025, the company acquired Miller Electric Company, which specializes in designing, installing and maintaining complex electrical systems across sectors such as data centers, manufacturing and healthcare. Being officially considered under the U.S. Electrical Construction and Facilities Services segment, this strategic addition has complemented EMCOR’s existing electrical construction capabilities in high-growth end markets while expanding its geographic presence.

Stock Performance & Valuation

As witnessed from the chart below, in the past six months, Comfort Systems’ share price performance stands significantly above EMCOR’s and the broader Construction sector.