Fortive Corporation (FTV) vs Xylem Inc. (XYL)

XYL leads on 8 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Fortive Corporation and Xylem 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 — FTV vs XYL

growth of $100 · last 10y
FTV +96.2%XYL +145.5%XYL compounded faster
100200300Start $10020182020202220242026$196$245
FTV XYL

FTV vs XYL: by the numbers

  • XYL is the larger company ($26.17B vs $18.33B market cap).
  • XYL trades at the lower earnings multiple (27.38 vs 35.80 P/E).
  • FTV converts more revenue to profit (11.48% vs 10.70% net margin).
  • XYL grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.66% vs -0.20% CAGR).
  • XYL pays the higher dividend yield (1.51% vs 0.30%).

Which is better, FTV or XYL?

Metric tally: FTV 7 · XYL 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Valuation

MetricFTVXYL
P/E ratio35.8027.38
Forward P/E18.6919.89
P/S ratio3.972.95
P/B ratio3.092.44
PEG ratio4.89
EV / EBITDA19.7815.49
FCF yield5.16%3.61%

Profitability

MetricFTVXYL
Gross margin61.83%38.61%
Operating margin17.73%13.60%
Net margin11.48%10.70%
ROE8.94%8.87%
ROIC7.44%6.42%

Dividends

MetricFTVXYL
Dividend yield0.30%1.51%
Payout ratio10.29%42.24%

Growth (annualized)

MetricFTVXYL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-0.20%12.66%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-17.51%22.76%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-7.26%8.96%
Total return CAGR (5Y)2.65%-0.21%

Frequently asked

Which is better, FTV or XYL?
It depends on your goal. value: XYL (lower P/E); growth: XYL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: XYL (higher dividend yield); quality: FTV (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, XYL leads 8 to 7.
Is FTV or XYL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, XYL is cheaper: FTV trades at a 35.80 P/E and XYL at 27.38.
Which has grown faster, FTV or XYL?
Over the past five years, XYL grew revenue faster — FTV at a -0.20% CAGR versus XYL at 12.66%.
Does FTV or XYL pay a bigger dividend?
FTV yields 0.30% and XYL yields 1.51% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is FTV or XYL more profitable?
FTV runs the higher net margin — FTV at 11.48% versus XYL at 10.70%.
Which has been the better investment, FTV or XYL?
Over the past 5-year, XYL delivered the higher annualized total return — FTV at 2.65% 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 13, 2026.