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 10yFTV +96.2%XYL +145.5%XYL compounded faster
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 8It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueXYL(lower P/E)
GrowthXYL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeXYL(higher dividend yield)
QualityFTV(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | FTV | XYL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 35.80 | 27.38● |
| Forward P/E | 18.69● | 19.89 |
| P/S ratio | 3.97 | 2.95● |
| P/B ratio | 3.09 | 2.44● |
| PEG ratio | — | 4.89 |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.78 | 15.49● |
| FCF yield | 5.16%● | 3.61% |
Profitability
| Metric | FTV | XYL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 61.83%● | 38.61% |
| Operating margin | 17.73%● | 13.60% |
| Net margin | 11.48%● | 10.70% |
| ROE | 8.94% | 8.87% |
| ROIC | 7.44%● | 6.42% |
Dividends
| Metric | FTV | XYL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.30% | 1.51%● |
| Payout ratio | 10.29% | 42.24% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | FTV | XYL |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Fortive P/E ratioXylem P/E ratioFortive dividend yieldXylem dividend yieldFortive ROEXylem ROEFortive operating marginXylem operating marginFortive revenue growthXylem revenue growthFortive free cash flowXylem free cash flow
Fortive & Xylem 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 June 13, 2026.