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 15yGNRC +1821.6%XYL +353.9%GNRC compounded faster
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 14It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueXYL(lower P/E)
GrowthXYL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityXYL(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | GNRC | XYL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 82.24 | 27.38● |
| Forward P/E | 23.89 | 19.89● |
| P/S ratio | 3.59 | 2.95● |
| P/B ratio | 5.81 | 2.44● |
| PEG ratio | — | 4.89 |
| EV / EBITDA | 32.49 | 15.56● |
| FCF yield | 2.13% | 3.61%● |
Profitability
| Metric | GNRC | XYL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 38.14% | 38.61% |
| Operating margin | 7.46% | 13.60%● |
| Net margin | 4.37% | 10.70%● |
| ROE | 7.07% | 8.87%● |
| ROIC | 5.29% | 6.42%● |
Dividends
| Metric | GNRC | XYL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | — | 1.51% |
| Payout ratio | — | 42.24% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | GNRC | XYL |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Generac P/E ratioXylem P/E ratioGenerac dividend yieldXylem dividend yieldGenerac ROEXylem ROEGenerac operating marginXylem operating marginGenerac revenue growthXylem revenue growthGenerac free cash flowXylem free cash flow
Generac & 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 14, 2026.