A. O. Smith Corporation (AOS) vs Pool Corporation (POOL)

AOS leads on 12 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of A. O. Smith Corporation and Pool Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 24, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — AOS vs POOL

growth of $100 · last 30y
AOS +1915.4%POOL +11780.5%POOL compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $100200120062011201620212026$2,015$11,880
AOS POOL

AOS vs POOL: by the numbers

  • AOS is the larger company ($8.02B vs $7.10B market cap).
  • AOS trades at the lower earnings multiple (15.28 vs 17.91 P/E).
  • AOS converts more revenue to profit (13.84% vs 7.58% net margin).
  • AOS grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.72% vs 4.39% CAGR).
  • POOL pays the higher dividend yield (2.59% vs 2.47%).

Which is better, AOS or POOL?

Metric tally: AOS 12 · POOL 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueAOS(lower P/E)
GrowthAOS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomePOOL(higher dividend yield)
QualityAOS(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAOSPOOL
P/E ratio15.2817.91
Forward P/E15.2017.59
P/S ratio2.101.33
P/B ratio4.266.26
PEG ratio3.015.02
EV / EBITDA10.6513.56
FCF yield8.10%8.53%

Profitability

MetricAOSPOOL
Gross margin38.77%29.69%
Operating margin18.55%10.93%
Net margin13.84%7.58%
ROE28.10%35.83%
ROIC23.94%15.43%

Dividends

MetricAOSPOOL
Dividend yield2.47%2.59%
Payout ratio36.79%46.37%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAOSPOOL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.72%4.39%
EPS CAGR (5Y)12.52%3.57%
FCF CAGR (5Y)3.27%6.93%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-1.58%-14.44%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AOS or POOL?
It depends on your goal. value: AOS (lower P/E); growth: AOS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: POOL (higher dividend yield); quality: AOS (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AOS leads 12 to 5.
Is AOS or POOL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, AOS is cheaper: AOS trades at a 15.28 P/E and POOL at 17.91.
Which has grown faster, AOS or POOL?
Over the past five years, AOS grew revenue faster — AOS at a 4.72% CAGR versus POOL at 4.39%.
Does AOS or POOL pay a bigger dividend?
AOS yields 2.47% and POOL yields 2.59% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AOS or POOL more profitable?
AOS runs the higher net margin — AOS at 13.84% versus POOL at 7.58%.
Which has been the better investment, AOS or POOL?
Over the past 10-year, POOL delivered the higher annualized total return — AOS at 4.60% versus POOL at 9.25%. 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 24, 2026.