Cummins Inc. (CMI) vs Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL)

POWL leads on 10 of 17 compared metrics, though CMI is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Cummins Inc. and Powell Industries, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — CMI vs POWL

growth of $100 · last 30y
CMI +6316.1%POWL +7124.3%POWL compounded faster
02k4k6k8kStart $100200120062011201620212026$6,416$7,224
CMI POWL

CMI vs POWL: by the numbers

  • CMI is the larger company ($91.01B vs $10.74B market cap).
  • CMI trades at the lower earnings multiple (34.26 vs 57.61 P/E).
  • POWL converts more revenue to profit (16.51% vs 7.89% net margin).
  • POWL grew revenue faster over the past five years (19.84% vs 10.78% CAGR).
  • CMI pays the higher dividend yield (1.21% vs 0.12%).

Which is better, CMI or POWL?

Metric tally: CMI 7 · POWL 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueCMI(lower P/E)
GrowthPOWL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCMI(higher dividend yield)
QualityPOWL(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricCMIPOWL
P/E ratio34.2657.61
Forward P/E22.7244.88
P/S ratio2.709.51
P/B ratio7.4115.19
PEG ratio3.031.03
EV / EBITDA20.2041.17
FCF yield2.92%1.79%

Profitability

MetricCMIPOWL
Gross margin25.39%30.10%
Operating margin11.24%19.76%
Net margin7.89%16.51%
ROE21.64%26.36%
ROIC11.41%25.41%

Dividends

MetricCMIPOWL
Dividend yield1.21%0.12%
Payout ratio38.80%7.18%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCMIPOWL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)10.78%19.84%
EPS CAGR (5Y)11.31%59.98%
FCF CAGR (5Y)4.25%34.56%
Total return CAGR (5Y)24.28%99.30%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CMI or POWL?
It depends on your goal. value: CMI (lower P/E); growth: POWL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CMI (higher dividend yield); quality: POWL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, POWL leads 10 to 7.
Is CMI or POWL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, CMI is cheaper: CMI trades at a 34.26 P/E and POWL at 57.61.
Which has grown faster, CMI or POWL?
Over the past five years, POWL grew revenue faster — CMI at a 10.78% CAGR versus POWL at 19.84%.
Does CMI or POWL pay a bigger dividend?
CMI yields 1.21% and POWL yields 0.12% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CMI or POWL more profitable?
POWL runs the higher net margin — CMI at 7.89% versus POWL at 16.51%.
Which has been the better investment, CMI or POWL?
Over the past 10-year, POWL delivered the higher annualized total return — CMI at 22.09% versus POWL at 47.08%. 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 13, 2026.