Yes, it is.

Benchmark: running mine, yours for at least 3 CPU seconds...
      mine:  3 wallclock secs ( 3.03 usr +  0.00 sys =  3.03 CPU) @ 27
+8704.16/s (n=844822)
     yours:  3 wallclock secs ( 3.13 usr +  0.00 sys =  3.13 CPU) @ 34
+5612.45/s (n=1082739)
          Rate  mine yours
mine  278704/s    --  -19%
yours 345612/s   24%    --
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antirice    
The first rule of Perl club is - use Perl
The ith rule of Perl club is - follow rule i - 1 for i > 1