AeroVironment, Inc. (AVAV) vs Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL)

POWL leads on 8 of 12 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of AeroVironment, Inc. and Powell Industries, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 19, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — AVAV vs POWL

growth of $100 · last 19y
AVAV +608.8%POWL +2777.1%POWL compounded faster
01k2k3kStart $1002011201520192023$709$2,877
AVAV POWL

AVAV vs POWL: by the numbers

  • POWL is the larger company ($10.83B vs $8.47B market cap).
  • POWL is profitable (16.51% net margin) while AVAV runs a net loss (-13.93%).
  • AVAV grew revenue faster over the past five years (32.50% vs 19.84% CAGR).
  • POWL pays a dividend (0.12% yield) while AVAV does not currently pay one.

Which is better, AVAV or POWL?

Metric tally: AVAV 4 · POWL 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthAVAV(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityPOWL(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAVAVPOWL
P/E ratio58.08
Forward P/E42.1945.25
P/S ratio5.149.59
P/B ratio1.9415.32
PEG ratio1.03
EV / EBITDA40.9041.53
FCF yield1.77%

Profitability

MetricAVAVPOWL
Gross margin21.82%30.10%
Operating margin-6.10%19.76%
Net margin-13.93%16.51%
ROE-5.25%26.36%
ROIC4.17%25.41%

Dividends

MetricAVAVPOWL
Dividend yield0.12%
Payout ratio7.18%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAVAVPOWL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)32.50%19.84%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-2.16%59.98%
FCF CAGR (5Y)21.25%34.56%
Total return CAGR (5Y)9.09%102.56%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AVAV or POWL?
It depends on your goal. growth: AVAV (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: POWL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, POWL leads 8 to 4.
Which has grown faster, AVAV or POWL?
Over the past five years, AVAV grew revenue faster — AVAV at a 32.50% CAGR versus POWL at 19.84%.
Does AVAV or POWL pay a bigger dividend?
POWL pays a dividend (0.12% yield) while AVAV does not currently pay one.
Is AVAV or POWL more profitable?
POWL runs the higher net margin — AVAV at -13.93% versus POWL at 16.51%.
Which has been the better investment, AVAV or POWL?
Over the past 10-year, POWL delivered the higher annualized total return — AVAV at 18.71% versus POWL at 47.13%. 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 19, 2026.