Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) vs Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL)
POWL leads on 11 of 17 compared metrics, though AMAT is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of Applied Materials, Inc. and Powell Industries, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
AMAT
Applied Materials, Inc.
$567.25Technology
POWL
Powell Industries, Inc.
$294.75Industrials
Total return — AMAT vs POWL
growth of $100 · last 30yAMAT +12762.8%POWL +7124.3%AMAT compounded faster
AMAT POWL
AMAT vs POWL: by the numbers
- •AMAT is the larger company ($450.37B vs $10.74B market cap).
- •AMAT trades at the lower earnings multiple (53.31 vs 57.61 P/E).
- •AMAT converts more revenue to profit (29.31% vs 16.51% net margin).
- •POWL grew revenue faster over the past five years (19.84% vs 9.33% CAGR).
- •AMAT pays the higher dividend yield (0.34% vs 0.12%).
Which is better, AMAT or POWL?
Metric tally: AMAT 6 · POWL 11It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueAMAT(lower P/E)
GrowthPOWL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityPOWL(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | AMAT | POWL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 53.31● | 57.61 |
| Forward P/E | 46.38 | 44.88● |
| P/S ratio | 15.62 | 9.51● |
| P/B ratio | 18.96 | 15.19● |
| PEG ratio | 76.90 | 1.03● |
| EV / EBITDA | 42.42 | 41.17● |
| FCF yield | 1.32% | 1.79%● |
Profitability
| Metric | AMAT | POWL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 48.96%● | 30.10% |
| Operating margin | 29.51%● | 19.76% |
| Net margin | 29.31%● | 16.51% |
| ROE | 35.58%● | 26.36% |
| ROIC | 21.96% | 25.41%● |
Dividends
| Metric | AMAT | POWL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.34%● | 0.12% |
| Payout ratio | 21.93% | 7.18% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AMAT | POWL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.33% | 19.84%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 17.13% | 59.98%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 9.02% | 34.56%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 34.01% | 99.30%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AMAT or POWL?
- It depends on your goal. value: AMAT (lower P/E); growth: POWL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: POWL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, POWL leads 11 to 6.
- Is AMAT or POWL cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, AMAT is cheaper: AMAT trades at a 53.31 P/E and POWL at 57.61.
- Which has grown faster, AMAT or POWL?
- Over the past five years, POWL grew revenue faster — AMAT at a 9.33% CAGR versus POWL at 19.84%.
- Does AMAT or POWL pay a bigger dividend?
- AMAT yields 0.34% and POWL yields 0.12% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AMAT or POWL more profitable?
- AMAT runs the higher net margin — AMAT at 29.31% versus POWL at 16.51%.
- Which has been the better investment, AMAT or POWL?
- Over the past 10-year, POWL delivered the higher annualized total return — AMAT at 38.64% versus POWL at 47.08%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Applied Materials P/E ratioPowell Industries P/E ratioApplied Materials dividend yieldPowell Industries dividend yieldApplied Materials ROEPowell Industries ROEApplied Materials operating marginPowell Industries operating marginApplied Materials revenue growthPowell Industries revenue growthApplied Materials free cash flowPowell Industries free cash flow
Applied Materials & Powell Industries appear in these rankings
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 13, 2026.