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).

Total return — AMAT vs POWL

growth of $100 · last 30y
AMAT +12762.8%POWL +7124.3%AMAT compounded faster
05k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$12,863$7,224
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 11

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueAMAT(lower P/E)
GrowthPOWL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityPOWL(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricAMATPOWL
P/E ratio53.3157.61
Forward P/E46.3844.88
P/S ratio15.629.51
P/B ratio18.9615.19
PEG ratio76.901.03
EV / EBITDA42.4241.17
FCF yield1.32%1.79%

Profitability

MetricAMATPOWL
Gross margin48.96%30.10%
Operating margin29.51%19.76%
Net margin29.31%16.51%
ROE35.58%26.36%
ROIC21.96%25.41%

Dividends

MetricAMATPOWL
Dividend yield0.34%0.12%
Payout ratio21.93%7.18%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAMATPOWL
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.

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.