MLI

Industrials

Mueller Industries, Inc. · Manufacturing - Metal Fabrication · $15B

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
73.4
Very Good

Mueller Industries, Inc. scores 73.4/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Industrials Sector
MLI
73.4
Sector avg
42.4
Quality
Strong
Moat
Weak
Growth
Good
Risk
Strong
Valuation
Good

What is Mueller Industries, Inc.?

Mueller Industries manufactures copper, brass, aluminum, and plastic products sold across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The company serves plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, and industrial markets through three distinct operating segments.

Mueller generates revenue by manufacturing and distributing engineered metal products to wholesalers, distributors, retailers, and OEMs. Its Piping Systems segment supplies copper tubes, fittings, and PEX plumbing products. The Industrial Metals segment produces brass rods, valves, forgings, and fluid control components. The Climate segment focuses on valves, protection devices, and high-pressure components for commercial HVAC and refrigeration OEMs. This diversified model spreads exposure across construction, infrastructure, and industrial end markets.

Mueller Industries was incorporated in 1991 and is headquartered in Collierville, Tennessee.

  • Copper tubes, fittings, and line sets for plumbing and refrigeration
  • PEX plumbing and radiant heating systems
  • Brass and aluminum rods, forgings, and valves
  • Fluid control solutions and gas train assemblies for OEMs
  • HVAC and refrigeration valves and high-pressure components

Is MLI a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates MLI as Good overall, reflecting a balanced profile across the five quality pillars.

Mueller's strongest attributes are its Quality and Risk pillars, both rated Strong — suggesting the business generates reliable returns and maintains a conservative financial posture relative to sector peers. The Growth pillar also earns a Good rating, indicating the company is expanding at a pace that compares reasonably well within the industrials space. Valuation is similarly rated Good, meaning the stock does not appear excessively priced relative to its fundamentals.

The Moat pillar is rated Weak, which suggests Mueller faces meaningful competition and may lack durable pricing power compared to more differentiated industrial peers.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does MLI pay dividends?

Yes — Mueller Industries, Inc. pays a dividend.

Mueller Industries pays a regular dividend, making it relevant for income-oriented investors within the industrials sector. The company's Strong Risk profile supports dividend sustainability, as conservative balance sheet management tends to underpin consistent payouts. Investors seeking both income and exposure to copper and brass manufacturing may find MLI's dividend cadence worth examining alongside its broader return profile.

When does MLI report earnings?

Mueller Industries reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed equities.

The company's Quality and Risk pillar ratings suggest a track record of generating returns without excessive leverage — a pattern that tends to be reflected in quarterly results over time. Revenue mix across three segments can create variability depending on copper prices and construction activity.

For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Mueller Industries' official investor relations page.

MLI Price History

+520.4% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in Mueller Industries, Inc.?

$
Today it would be worth
$65,252
That's a +553% total return, or +45.5% annualized.

Based on Mueller Industries, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

MLI Long-term Outlook

Mueller's Good Growth rating points to a business with meaningful expansion potential, supported by demand tailwinds in residential construction, HVAC upgrades, and industrial infrastructure. The Strong Risk pillar suggests the company is positioned to navigate commodity-price cycles without excessive financial strain. However, the Weak Moat rating introduces uncertainty around long-term margin durability if competitive pressure intensifies. The Good Valuation rating implies the market is not pricing in extreme optimism, leaving room for measured upside if growth drivers materialize.

Growth drivers

  • Residential and commercial construction activity driving piping system demand
  • HVAC and refrigeration OEM growth tied to climate-control infrastructure buildout
  • Expansion of industrial fluid control and brass component applications

Key risks

  • Copper and raw material price volatility compressing segment margins
  • Weak moat rating signals vulnerability to pricing pressure from competitors
  • Cyclical exposure to construction and industrial end markets during downturns

MLI vs Peers

Mueller Industries operates in a competitive industrials landscape alongside other specialty metals and engineered-products manufacturers.

CRSMLI scores higher
Carpenter Technology Corporation

Carpenter Technology focuses on high-performance specialty alloys for aerospace and defense, targeting more technically demanding end markets than Mueller's construction and HVAC focus.

ATIMLI scores higher
ATI Inc.

ATI specializes in advanced alloys and complex components for aerospace, defense, and energy — a narrower but higher-specification niche compared to Mueller's broad copper and brass product portfolio.

ESABMLI scores higher
ESAB Corporation

ESAB competes in welding and cutting technologies, serving overlapping industrial and construction markets but through consumables and equipment rather than copper-based piping and fittings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Mueller Industries do?

Mueller Industries manufactures copper, brass, aluminum, and plastic products for plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, and industrial markets. It operates three segments — Piping Systems, Industrial Metals, and Climate — selling to wholesalers, distributors, retailers, and OEMs across North America, Europe, and Asia.

Does MLI pay dividends?

Yes, Mueller Industries pays a regular dividend. The company's Strong Risk pillar rating suggests a financially conservative posture that tends to support consistent dividend payments. Investors should verify the current yield and payout schedule on Mueller's investor relations page.

When does MLI report earnings?

Mueller Industries reports on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US-listed companies. Specific dates are not covered by our data source — check Mueller's investor relations page or a financial calendar for the next scheduled release.

Is MLI a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates MLI as Good overall. The company shows Strong Quality and Risk ratings alongside a Good Growth and Valuation profile. The main concern is a Weak Moat rating. Whether that profile suits your portfolio depends on your own investment criteria — the full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.

Is MLI overvalued?

MLI carries a Good Valuation rating within the UQS framework, suggesting the stock is not priced at an extreme premium relative to its fundamentals. This places it in a reasonable range compared to sector peers, though valuation is always one factor among many.

How does MLI compare to its competitors?

Compared to peers like Carpenter Technology, ATI, and ESAB, Mueller is distinguished by its broad copper and brass product portfolio serving construction, plumbing, and HVAC markets. Competitors tend to focus on specialty alloys or welding technologies, targeting different end markets and customer bases.

What is MLI's market cap bracket?

Mueller Industries is classified as a large-cap company, reflecting its scale within the industrials sector. Large-cap status generally indicates established operations, broader analyst coverage, and greater liquidity compared to smaller peers.

Who founded Mueller Industries?

Mueller Industries was incorporated in 1991. Detailed founding history, including key executives involved in the company's formation, is widely available through public corporate filings and the company's official history resources.

Is MLI a long-term quality stock?

As a long-term quality indicator, MLI's Strong Quality and Risk pillar ratings are encouraging — they suggest the business generates reliable returns and manages financial risk conservatively. The Weak Moat rating is worth monitoring, as durable competitive advantages tend to matter most over longer holding periods.

What is the main competitive advantage of Mueller Industries?

Mueller's breadth across copper, brass, aluminum, and plastic products — combined with its three-segment structure — provides diversification across construction, HVAC, and industrial end markets. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Weak, indicating the company faces real competitive pressure in its core categories.

What sector does MLI belong to?

Mueller Industries belongs to the Industrials sector. Within that broad sector, it operates in specialty metals manufacturing and engineered components, serving construction, HVAC, refrigeration, and industrial OEM customers across multiple geographies.

Is MLI a growth stock or value stock?

Based on UQS pillar labels, MLI sits in a middle ground — its Growth pillar is rated Good and its Valuation pillar is also rated Good, suggesting it is neither a deep-value play nor a high-growth momentum name. It may appeal to investors seeking a balanced industrials exposure.

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Pro Analysis

MLI — Score History

65707580Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 21 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 23, 202673.491.134.077.1100.078.20.0
May 21, 202673.491.134.077.1100.077.9+0.2
May 15, 202673.290.934.077.1100.077.2+0.1
May 13, 202673.190.734.077.1100.076.40.0
May 12, 202673.190.834.077.1100.076.8+0.2
May 11, 202672.990.734.077.1100.075.7-0.5
May 7, 202673.491.534.077.1100.077.1-0.2
May 3, 202673.691.534.077.1100.078.7+0.1
Apr 26, 202673.591.534.077.1100.077.9-0.5
Apr 23, 202674.091.534.077.1100.081.5+3.8

MLI — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

91.1/100 (25%)

Mueller Industries, Inc. demonstrates outstanding capital efficiency and profitability, placing it among the highest-quality businesses in the market.

Capital Efficiency (ROIC)Strong

How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.

Return on EquityStrong

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityStrong

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityStrong

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Gross Profit / AssetsStrong

Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.

Cash GenerationModerate

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

77.1/100 (20%)

Mueller Industries, Inc. is growing rapidly with strong revenue and earnings expansion.

Recent Revenue TrendModerate

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRWeak

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthStrong

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookStrong

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthStrong

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

100.0/100 (15%)

Mueller Industries, Inc. carries minimal financial risk with conservative leverage and strong solvency.

Financial LeverageStrong

Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.

Debt/EquityStrong

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioStrong

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageStrong

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

78.2/100 (15%)

Mueller Industries, Inc. appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.

Earnings YieldModerate

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

Price to Free Cash FlowStrong

How many years of FCF the market cap represents.

PEG RatioStrong

P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorStrong

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

34/100 (25%)

Mueller Industries, Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for MLI.

Score Composition

Quality
91.1×25%22.8
Growth
77.1×20%15.4
Risk
100.0×15%15.0
Valuation
78.2×15%11.7
Moat
34.0×25%8.5
Total
73.4Very Good

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the MLI UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Mueller Industries, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses Mueller Industries, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether Mueller Industries, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.