A. O. Smith Corporation (AOS) vs Valmont Industries, Inc. (VMI)

A side-by-side comparison of A. O. Smith Corporation and Valmont Industries, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnAOS vs VMI

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
AOS +54.1% (+4.4%/yr)VMI +315.9% (+15.3%/yr)VMI compounded faster over this window
100200300400500Start $10020182020202220242026$154$416
AOS VMI

AOS vs VMI: by the numbers

  • VMI is the larger company ($9.03B vs $8.06B market cap).
  • AOS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (16.20 vs 18.62 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • AOS converts more revenue to profit (13.15% vs 11.70% net margin).
  • VMI grew revenue faster over the past five years (5.74% vs 3.37% CAGR).
  • AOS pays the higher dividend yield (2.51% vs 0.60%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAOSVMI
P/E ratio16.2018.62
Forward P/E15.5720.26
P/S ratio2.122.13
P/B ratio4.385.23
EV / EBITDA11.2414.48
FCF yield7.93%3.57%

Profitability

MetricAOSVMI
Gross margin38.59%30.37%
Operating margin17.57%13.85%
Net margin13.15%11.70%
ROE27.16%28.67%
ROIC18.44%19.68%

Dividends

MetricAOSVMI
Dividend yield2.51%0.60%
Payout ratio40.11%11.54%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAOSVMI
Revenue CAGR (5Y)3.37%5.74%
EPS CAGR (5Y)12.52%21.80%
FCF CAGR (5Y)4.38%20.19%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-2.11%15.70%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, AOS or VMI?
AOS has the lower trailing P/E: AOS trades at 16.20 and VMI at 18.62. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, AOS or VMI?
Over the past five years, VMI grew revenue faster — AOS at a 3.37% CAGR versus VMI at 5.74%.
Does AOS or VMI pay a bigger dividend?
AOS yields 2.51% and VMI yields 0.60% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AOS or VMI more profitable?
AOS runs the higher net margin — AOS at 13.15% versus VMI at 11.70%.
How have AOS and VMI total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, AOS delivered 4.10% and VMI delivered 15.41% annualized total return. 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 September 13, 2026.