Fortive Corporation (FTV) vs Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL)

FTV and POWL are evenly matched — 8 metrics each of 16.

A side-by-side comparison of Fortive Corporation and Powell Industries, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — FTV vs POWL

growth of $100 · last 10y
FTV +96.2%POWL +2153.4%POWL compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020182020202220242026$196$2,253
FTV POWL

FTV vs POWL: by the numbers

  • FTV is the larger company ($18.33B vs $10.74B market cap).
  • FTV trades at the lower earnings multiple (35.80 vs 57.61 P/E).
  • POWL converts more revenue to profit (16.51% vs 11.48% net margin).
  • POWL grew revenue faster over the past five years (19.84% vs -0.20% CAGR).
  • FTV pays the higher dividend yield (0.30% vs 0.12%).

Which is better, FTV or POWL?

Metric tally: FTV 8 · POWL 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueFTV(lower P/E)
GrowthPOWL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityPOWL(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricFTVPOWL
P/E ratio35.8057.61
Forward P/E18.6944.88
P/S ratio3.979.51
P/B ratio3.0915.19
PEG ratio1.03
EV / EBITDA17.9341.17
FCF yield5.16%1.79%

Profitability

MetricFTVPOWL
Gross margin61.83%30.10%
Operating margin17.73%19.76%
Net margin11.48%16.51%
ROE8.94%26.36%
ROIC7.44%25.41%

Dividends

MetricFTVPOWL
Dividend yield0.30%0.12%
Payout ratio10.29%7.18%

Growth (annualized)

MetricFTVPOWL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-0.20%19.84%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-17.51%59.98%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-7.26%34.56%
Total return CAGR (5Y)2.65%99.30%

Frequently asked

Which is better, FTV or POWL?
It depends on your goal. value: FTV (lower P/E); growth: POWL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: POWL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, they are evenly matched.
Is FTV or POWL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, FTV is cheaper: FTV trades at a 35.80 P/E and POWL at 57.61.
Which has grown faster, FTV or POWL?
Over the past five years, POWL grew revenue faster — FTV at a -0.20% CAGR versus POWL at 19.84%.
Does FTV or POWL pay a bigger dividend?
FTV yields 0.30% and POWL yields 0.12% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is FTV or POWL more profitable?
POWL runs the higher net margin — FTV at 11.48% versus POWL at 16.51%.
Which has been the better investment, FTV or POWL?
Over the past 5-year, POWL delivered the higher annualized total return — FTV at 2.65% 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 14, 2026.