Arcosa, Inc. (ACA) vs A. O. Smith Corporation (AOS)

A side-by-side comparison of Arcosa, Inc. and A. O. Smith Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 10, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnACA vs AOS

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 8y
ACA +622.1% (+28.0%/yr)AOS +64.4% (+6.4%/yr)ACA compounded faster over this window
200400600Start $1002020202220242026$722$164
ACA AOS

ACA vs AOS: by the numbers

  • AOS is the larger company ($8.67B vs $7.11B market cap).
  • ACA trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (16.18 vs 17.82 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • ACA converts more revenue to profit (17.90% vs 13.15% net margin).
  • ACA grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.59% vs 3.37% CAGR).
  • AOS pays the higher dividend yield (2.25% vs 0.14%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricACAAOS
P/E ratio16.1817.82
Forward P/E33.8517.09
P/S ratio2.602.33
P/B ratio2.404.81
EV / EBITDA18.1712.29
FCF yield1.51%7.22%

Profitability

MetricACAAOS
Gross margin23.04%38.59%
Operating margin8.11%17.57%
Net margin17.90%13.15%
ROE16.57%27.16%
ROIC6.71%23.94%

Dividends

MetricACAAOS
Dividend yield0.14%2.25%
Payout ratio4.71%37.31%

Growth (annualized)

MetricACAAOS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)7.59%3.37%
EPS CAGR (5Y)14.08%12.52%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-0.51%4.38%
Total return CAGR (5Y)23.37%-0.40%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, ACA or AOS?
ACA has the lower trailing P/E: ACA trades at 16.18 and AOS at 17.82. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, ACA or AOS?
Over the past five years, ACA grew revenue faster — ACA at a 7.59% CAGR versus AOS at 3.37%.
Does ACA or AOS pay a bigger dividend?
ACA yields 0.14% and AOS yields 2.25% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ACA or AOS more profitable?
ACA runs the higher net margin — ACA at 17.90% versus AOS at 13.15%.
How have ACA and AOS total returns compared?
Over the past 5 years, ACA delivered 23.37% and AOS delivered 4.87% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified August 10, 2026.