Jacobs Solutions Inc. (J) vs Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL)
POWL leads on 10 of 17 compared metrics, though J is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of Jacobs Solutions Inc. and Powell Industries, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 19, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — J vs POWL
growth of $100 · last 30yJ +2007.5%POWL +7481.6%POWL compounded faster
J POWL
J vs POWL: by the numbers
- •J is the larger company ($14.28B vs $10.83B market cap).
- •J trades at the lower earnings multiple (37.22 vs 58.08 P/E).
- •POWL converts more revenue to profit (16.51% vs 2.92% net margin).
- •POWL grew revenue faster over the past five years (19.84% vs -0.59% CAGR).
- •J pays the higher dividend yield (1.12% vs 0.12%).
Which is better, J or POWL?
Metric tally: J 7 · POWL 10It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueJ(lower P/E)
GrowthPOWL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeJ(higher dividend yield)
QualityPOWL(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | J | POWL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 37.22● | 58.08 |
| Forward P/E | 16.72● | 45.25 |
| P/S ratio | 1.09● | 9.59 |
| P/B ratio | 4.37● | 15.32 |
| PEG ratio | 4.09 | 1.03● |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.68● | 41.53 |
| FCF yield | 3.36%● | 1.77% |
Profitability
| Metric | J | POWL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 23.40% | 30.10%● |
| Operating margin | 4.69% | 19.76%● |
| Net margin | 2.92% | 16.51%● |
| ROE | 11.67% | 26.36%● |
| ROIC | 6.50% | 25.41%● |
Dividends
| Metric | J | POWL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.12%● | 0.12% |
| Payout ratio | 56.90% | 7.18% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | J | POWL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | -0.59% | 19.84%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 9.10% | 59.98%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -11.98% | 34.56%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 3.38% | 102.56%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, J or POWL?
- It depends on your goal. value: J (lower P/E); growth: POWL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: J (higher dividend yield); quality: POWL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, POWL leads 10 to 7.
- Is J or POWL cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, J is cheaper: J trades at a 37.22 P/E and POWL at 58.08.
- Which has grown faster, J or POWL?
- Over the past five years, POWL grew revenue faster — J at a -0.59% CAGR versus POWL at 19.84%.
- Does J or POWL pay a bigger dividend?
- J yields 1.12% and POWL yields 0.12% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is J or POWL more profitable?
- POWL runs the higher net margin — J at 2.92% versus POWL at 16.51%.
- Which has been the better investment, J or POWL?
- Over the past 10-year, POWL delivered the higher annualized total return — J at 12.05% versus POWL at 47.13%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Jacobs Solutions P/E ratioPowell Industries P/E ratioJacobs Solutions dividend yieldPowell Industries dividend yieldJacobs Solutions ROEPowell Industries ROEJacobs Solutions operating marginPowell Industries operating marginJacobs Solutions revenue growthPowell Industries revenue growthJacobs Solutions free cash flowPowell Industries free cash flow
Jacobs Solutions & Powell Industries 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 19, 2026.