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 30yCMI +6316.1%POWL +7124.3%POWL compounded faster
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 10It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueCMI(lower P/E)
GrowthPOWL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCMI(higher dividend yield)
QualityPOWL(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | CMI | POWL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 34.26● | 57.61 |
| Forward P/E | 22.72● | 44.88 |
| P/S ratio | 2.70● | 9.51 |
| P/B ratio | 7.41● | 15.19 |
| PEG ratio | 3.03 | 1.03● |
| EV / EBITDA | 20.20● | 41.17 |
| FCF yield | 2.92%● | 1.79% |
Profitability
| Metric | CMI | POWL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 25.39% | 30.10%● |
| Operating margin | 11.24% | 19.76%● |
| Net margin | 7.89% | 16.51%● |
| ROE | 21.64% | 26.36%● |
| ROIC | 11.41% | 25.41%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CMI | POWL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.21%● | 0.12% |
| Payout ratio | 38.80% | 7.18% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CMI | POWL |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cummins P/E ratioPowell Industries P/E ratioCummins dividend yieldPowell Industries dividend yieldCummins ROEPowell Industries ROECummins operating marginPowell Industries operating marginCummins revenue growthPowell Industries revenue growthCummins free cash flowPowell Industries free cash flow
Cummins & Powell Industries appear in these rankings
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.