Aecom (ACM) vs Pool Corporation (POOL)

POOL leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics, though ACM is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Aecom and Pool Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 21, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — ACM vs POOL

growth of $100 · last 19y
ACM +226.1%POOL +421.2%POOL compounded faster
05001k2kStart $1002011201520192023$326$521
ACM POOL

ACM vs POOL: by the numbers

  • ACM is the larger company ($8.84B vs $7.25B market cap).
  • ACM trades at the lower earnings multiple (16.54 vs 18.29 P/E).
  • POOL converts more revenue to profit (7.58% vs 3.16% net margin).
  • POOL grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.39% vs 3.69% CAGR).
  • POOL pays the higher dividend yield (2.54% vs 1.66%).

Which is better, ACM or POOL?

Metric tally: ACM 8 · POOL 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueACM(lower P/E)
GrowthPOOL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomePOOL(higher dividend yield)
QualityPOOL(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricACMPOOL
P/E ratio16.5418.29
Forward P/E11.5017.97
P/S ratio0.561.35
P/B ratio3.926.40
PEG ratio0.725.12
EV / EBITDA8.9713.80
FCF yield4.61%8.35%

Profitability

MetricACMPOOL
Gross margin7.73%29.69%
Operating margin6.38%10.93%
Net margin3.16%7.58%
ROE22.27%35.83%
ROIC12.33%15.43%

Dividends

MetricACMPOOL
Dividend yield1.66%2.54%
Payout ratio26.89%46.37%

Growth (annualized)

MetricACMPOOL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)3.69%4.39%
EPS CAGR (5Y)25.59%3.57%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-11.26%6.93%
Total return CAGR (5Y)3.68%-13.59%

Frequently asked

Which is better, ACM or POOL?
It depends on your goal. value: ACM (lower P/E); growth: POOL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: POOL (higher dividend yield); quality: POOL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, POOL leads 9 to 8.
Is ACM or POOL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, ACM is cheaper: ACM trades at a 16.54 P/E and POOL at 18.29.
Which has grown faster, ACM or POOL?
Over the past five years, POOL grew revenue faster — ACM at a 3.69% CAGR versus POOL at 4.39%.
Does ACM or POOL pay a bigger dividend?
ACM yields 1.66% and POOL yields 2.54% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ACM or POOL more profitable?
POOL runs the higher net margin — ACM at 3.16% versus POOL at 7.58%.
Which has been the better investment, ACM or POOL?
Over the past 10-year, POOL delivered the higher annualized total return — ACM at 8.36% versus POOL at 9.65%. 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 June 21, 2026.