Generac Holdings Inc. (GNRC) vs Xylem Inc. (XYL)

XYL leads on 14 of 14 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Generac Holdings Inc. and Xylem 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 — GNRC vs XYL

growth of $100 · last 15y
GNRC +1821.6%XYL +353.9%GNRC compounded faster
01k2k3kStart $10020142017202020232026$1,922$454
GNRC XYL

GNRC vs XYL: by the numbers

  • XYL is the larger company ($26.17B vs $15.44B market cap).
  • XYL trades at the lower earnings multiple (27.38 vs 82.24 P/E).
  • XYL converts more revenue to profit (10.70% vs 4.37% net margin).
  • XYL grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.66% vs 8.96% CAGR).
  • XYL pays a dividend (1.51% yield) while GNRC does not currently pay one.

Which is better, GNRC or XYL?

Metric tally: GNRC 0 · XYL 14

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueXYL(lower P/E)
GrowthXYL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityXYL(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricGNRCXYL
P/E ratio82.2427.38
Forward P/E23.8919.89
P/S ratio3.592.95
P/B ratio5.812.44
PEG ratio4.89
EV / EBITDA32.4915.56
FCF yield2.13%3.61%

Profitability

MetricGNRCXYL
Gross margin38.14%38.61%
Operating margin7.46%13.60%
Net margin4.37%10.70%
ROE7.07%8.87%
ROIC5.29%6.42%

Dividends

MetricGNRCXYL
Dividend yield1.51%
Payout ratio42.24%

Growth (annualized)

MetricGNRCXYL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)8.96%12.66%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-13.42%22.76%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-9.70%8.96%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-5.55%-0.21%

Frequently asked

Which is better, GNRC or XYL?
It depends on your goal. value: XYL (lower P/E); growth: XYL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: XYL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, XYL leads 14 to 0.
Is GNRC or XYL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, XYL is cheaper: GNRC trades at a 82.24 P/E and XYL at 27.38.
Which has grown faster, GNRC or XYL?
Over the past five years, XYL grew revenue faster — GNRC at a 8.96% CAGR versus XYL at 12.66%.
Does GNRC or XYL pay a bigger dividend?
XYL pays a dividend (1.51% yield) while GNRC does not currently pay one.
Is GNRC or XYL more profitable?
XYL runs the higher net margin — GNRC at 4.37% versus XYL at 10.70%.
Which has been the better investment, GNRC or XYL?
Over the past 10-year, GNRC delivered the higher annualized total return — GNRC at 21.37% 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 14, 2026.