Federal Signal Corporation (FSS) vs Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL)
A side-by-side comparison of Federal Signal Corporation and Powell Industries, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 3, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
FSS
Federal Signal Corporation
$115.86IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 3, 2026, 1:20 PM EDT
POWL
Powell Industries, Inc.
$176.09IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 3, 2026, 1:20 PM EDT
Total return — FSS vs POWL
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yFSS +867.8% (+25.5%/yr)POWL +2486.5% (+38.4%/yr)POWL compounded faster over this window
FSS POWL
FSS vs POWL: by the numbers
- •FSS is the larger company ($7.07B vs $6.42B market cap).
- •FSS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (24.81 vs 32.69 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •POWL converts more revenue to profit (16.49% vs 11.66% net margin).
- •POWL grew revenue faster over the past five years (20.49% vs 15.56% CAGR).
- •FSS pays the higher dividend yield (0.51% vs 0.21%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | FSS | POWL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 24.81 | 32.69 |
| Forward P/E | 22.01 | 31.67 |
| P/S ratio | 2.89 | 5.39 |
| P/B ratio | 4.70 | 8.25 |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.93 | 23.72 |
| FCF yield | 4.79% | 3.91% |
Profitability
| Metric | FSS | POWL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 29.17% | 30.08% |
| Operating margin | 16.84% | 19.67% |
| Net margin | 11.66% | 16.49% |
| ROE | 18.93% | 25.24% |
| ROIC | 14.80% | 22.63% |
Dividends
| Metric | FSS | POWL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.51% | 0.21% |
| Payout ratio | 14.53% | 7.18% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | FSS | POWL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 15.56% | 20.49% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 20.62% | 59.98% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 31.04% | 38.80% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 23.68% | 89.09% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, FSS or POWL?
- FSS has the lower trailing P/E: FSS trades at 24.81 and POWL at 32.69. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, FSS or POWL?
- Over the past five years, POWL grew revenue faster — FSS at a 15.56% CAGR versus POWL at 20.49%.
- Does FSS or POWL pay a bigger dividend?
- FSS yields 0.51% and POWL yields 0.21% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is FSS or POWL more profitable?
- POWL runs the higher net margin — FSS at 11.66% versus POWL at 16.49%.
- How have FSS and POWL total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, FSS delivered 25.35% and POWL delivered 37.92% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Federal Signal P/E ratioPowell Industries P/E ratioFederal Signal dividend yieldPowell Industries dividend yieldFederal Signal ROEPowell Industries ROEFederal Signal operating marginPowell Industries operating marginFederal Signal revenue growthPowell Industries revenue growthFederal Signal free cash flowPowell Industries free cash flow
Federal Signal & 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 September 3, 2026.