Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW) vs Xylem Inc. (XYL)

XYL leads on 11 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Curtiss-Wright Corporation and Xylem Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — CW vs XYL

growth of $100 · last 15y
CW +2345.2%XYL +353.9%CW compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020142017202020232026$2,445$454
CW XYL

CW vs XYL: by the numbers

  • CW is the larger company ($28.00B vs $26.17B market cap).
  • XYL trades at the lower earnings multiple (27.38 vs 55.49 P/E).
  • CW converts more revenue to profit (14.17% vs 10.70% net margin).
  • XYL grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.66% vs 8.60% CAGR).
  • XYL pays the higher dividend yield (1.51% vs 0.16%).

Which is better, CW or XYL?

Metric tally: CW 6 · XYL 11

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueXYL(lower P/E)
GrowthXYL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeXYL(higher dividend yield)
QualityCW(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCWXYL
P/E ratio55.4927.38
Forward P/E44.4119.89
P/S ratio7.792.95
P/B ratio10.672.44
PEG ratio1.944.89
EV / EBITDA35.3215.56
FCF yield2.10%3.61%

Profitability

MetricCWXYL
Gross margin37.17%38.61%
Operating margin18.48%13.60%
Net margin14.17%10.70%
ROE19.42%8.87%
ROIC12.41%6.42%

Dividends

MetricCWXYL
Dividend yield0.16%1.51%
Payout ratio9.43%42.24%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCWXYL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)8.60%12.66%
EPS CAGR (5Y)21.79%22.76%
FCF CAGR (5Y)8.67%8.96%
Total return CAGR (5Y)43.13%-0.21%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CW or XYL?
It depends on your goal. value: XYL (lower P/E); growth: XYL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: XYL (higher dividend yield); quality: CW (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, XYL leads 11 to 6.
Is CW or XYL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, XYL is cheaper: CW trades at a 55.49 P/E and XYL at 27.38.
Which has grown faster, CW or XYL?
Over the past five years, XYL grew revenue faster — CW at a 8.60% CAGR versus XYL at 12.66%.
Does CW or XYL pay a bigger dividend?
CW yields 0.16% and XYL yields 1.51% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CW or XYL more profitable?
CW runs the higher net margin — CW at 14.17% versus XYL at 10.70%.
Which has been the better investment, CW or XYL?
Over the past 10-year, CW delivered the higher annualized total return — CW at 24.85% versus XYL at 10.47%. 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 15, 2026.