A. O. Smith Corporation (AOS) vs Federal Signal Corporation (FSS)
A side-by-side comparison of A. O. Smith Corporation and Federal Signal Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 10, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
AOS
A. O. Smith Corporation
$56.98IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 10, 2026, 11:05 AM EDT
FSS
Federal Signal Corporation
$115.07IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 10, 2026, 10:59 AM EDT
Total return — AOS vs FSS
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yAOS +43.0% (+3.6%/yr)FSS +887.4% (+25.7%/yr)FSS compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
AOS FSS
AOS vs FSS: by the numbers
- •AOS is the larger company ($7.90B vs $7.02B market cap).
- •AOS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (15.87 vs 24.80 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •AOS converts more revenue to profit (13.15% vs 11.66% net margin).
- •FSS grew revenue faster over the past five years (15.56% vs 3.37% CAGR).
- •AOS pays the higher dividend yield (2.49% vs 0.50%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AOS | FSS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 15.87 | 24.80 |
| Forward P/E | 15.25 | 22.00 |
| P/S ratio | 2.08 | 2.87 |
| P/B ratio | 4.29 | 4.66 |
| EV / EBITDA | 11.03 | 14.82 |
| FCF yield | 8.10% | 4.83% |
Profitability
| Metric | AOS | FSS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 38.59% | 29.17% |
| Operating margin | 17.57% | 16.84% |
| Net margin | 13.15% | 11.66% |
| ROE | 27.16% | 18.93% |
| ROIC | 18.44% | 14.80% |
Dividends
| Metric | AOS | FSS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.49% | 0.50% |
| Payout ratio | 40.11% | 12.72% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AOS | FSS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 3.37% | 15.56% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 12.52% | 20.62% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.38% | 31.04% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -2.20% | 25.31% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AOS or FSS?
- AOS has the lower trailing P/E: AOS trades at 15.87 and FSS at 24.80. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, AOS or FSS?
- Over the past five years, FSS grew revenue faster — AOS at a 3.37% CAGR versus FSS at 15.56%.
- Does AOS or FSS pay a bigger dividend?
- AOS yields 2.49% and FSS yields 0.50% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AOS or FSS more profitable?
- AOS runs the higher net margin — AOS at 13.15% versus FSS at 11.66%.
- How have AOS and FSS total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, AOS delivered 4.19% and FSS delivered 25.79% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
A. O. Smith P/E ratioFederal Signal P/E ratioA. O. Smith dividend yieldFederal Signal dividend yieldA. O. Smith ROEFederal Signal ROEA. O. Smith operating marginFederal Signal operating marginA. O. Smith revenue growthFederal Signal revenue growthA. O. Smith free cash flowFederal Signal free cash flow
A. O. Smith & Federal Signal 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 September 10, 2026.