Builders FirstSource, Inc. (BLDR) vs Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL)

POWL leads on 8 of 15 compared metrics, though BLDR is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Builders FirstSource, Inc. and Powell Industries, Inc. 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 — BLDR vs POWL

growth of $100 · last 21y
BLDR +447.5%POWL +4599.2%POWL compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
1101001k10kStart $10020092013201720212025$547$4,699
BLDR POWL

BLDR vs POWL: by the numbers

  • POWL is the larger company ($10.73B vs $9.05B market cap).
  • BLDR trades at the lower earnings multiple (29.40 vs 57.58 P/E).
  • POWL converts more revenue to profit (16.51% vs 1.97% net margin).
  • POWL grew revenue faster over the past five years (19.84% vs 6.25% CAGR).
  • POWL pays a dividend (0.12% yield) while BLDR does not currently pay one.

Which is better, BLDR or POWL?

Metric tally: BLDR 7 · POWL 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricBLDRPOWL
P/E ratio29.4057.58
Forward P/E17.9544.86
P/S ratio0.579.51
P/B ratio2.1115.18
PEG ratio3.781.03
EV / EBITDA11.2341.16
FCF yield10.22%1.79%

Profitability

MetricBLDRPOWL
Gross margin29.89%30.10%
Operating margin4.18%19.76%
Net margin1.97%16.51%
ROE7.28%26.36%
ROIC6.82%25.41%

Dividends

MetricBLDRPOWL
Dividend yield0.12%
Payout ratio7.18%

Growth (annualized)

MetricBLDRPOWL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)6.25%19.84%
EPS CAGR (5Y)7.77%59.98%
FCF CAGR (5Y)39.91%34.56%
Total return CAGR (5Y)13.52%102.25%

Frequently asked

Which is better, BLDR or POWL?
It depends on your goal. value: BLDR (lower P/E); growth: POWL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: POWL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, POWL leads 8 to 7.
Is BLDR or POWL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, BLDR is cheaper: BLDR trades at a 29.40 P/E and POWL at 57.58.
Which has grown faster, BLDR or POWL?
Over the past five years, POWL grew revenue faster — BLDR at a 6.25% CAGR versus POWL at 19.84%.
Does BLDR or POWL pay a bigger dividend?
POWL pays a dividend (0.12% yield) while BLDR does not currently pay one.
Is BLDR or POWL more profitable?
POWL runs the higher net margin — BLDR at 1.97% versus POWL at 16.51%.
Which has been the better investment, BLDR or POWL?
Over the past 10-year, POWL delivered the higher annualized total return — BLDR at 22.70% versus POWL at 47.36%. 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.