Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ) vs Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL)

CNQ leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Canadian Natural Resources Limited 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 — CNQ vs POWL

growth of $100 · last 26y
CNQ +2533.7%POWL +10464.5%POWL compounded faster
05k10kStart $10020052010201520202025$2,634$10,565
CNQ POWL

CNQ vs POWL: by the numbers

  • CNQ is the larger company ($94.49B vs $10.74B market cap).
  • CNQ trades at the lower earnings multiple (13.41 vs 57.61 P/E).
  • CNQ converts more revenue to profit (23.94% vs 16.51% net margin).
  • POWL grew revenue faster over the past five years (19.84% vs 14.46% CAGR).
  • CNQ pays the higher dividend yield (2.89% vs 0.12%).

Which is better, CNQ or POWL?

Metric tally: CNQ 11 · POWL 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Valuation

MetricCNQPOWL
P/E ratio13.4157.61
Forward P/E9.1644.88
P/S ratio3.229.51
P/B ratio4.1215.19
PEG ratio0.111.03
EV / EBITDA6.4641.17
FCF yield4.72%1.79%

Profitability

MetricCNQPOWL
Gross margin30.69%30.10%
Operating margin26.74%19.76%
Net margin23.94%16.51%
ROE30.65%26.36%
ROIC7.95%25.41%

Dividends

MetricCNQPOWL
Dividend yield2.89%0.12%
Payout ratio34.74%7.18%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCNQPOWL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)14.46%19.84%
EPS CAGR (5Y)13.65%59.98%
FCF CAGR (5Y)13.93%34.56%
Total return CAGR (5Y)25.57%99.30%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CNQ or POWL?
It depends on your goal. value: CNQ (lower P/E); growth: POWL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CNQ (higher dividend yield); quality: POWL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CNQ leads 11 to 5.
Is CNQ or POWL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, CNQ is cheaper: CNQ trades at a 13.41 P/E and POWL at 57.61.
Which has grown faster, CNQ or POWL?
Over the past five years, POWL grew revenue faster — CNQ at a 14.46% CAGR versus POWL at 19.84%.
Does CNQ or POWL pay a bigger dividend?
CNQ yields 2.89% and POWL yields 0.12% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CNQ or POWL more profitable?
CNQ runs the higher net margin — CNQ at 23.94% versus POWL at 16.51%.
Which has been the better investment, CNQ or POWL?
Over the past 10-year, POWL delivered the higher annualized total return — CNQ at 17.67% 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.