KLA Corporation (KLAC) vs Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL)

POWL leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of KLA Corporation and Powell Industries, 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 — KLAC vs POWL

growth of $100 · last 30y
KLAC +19330.5%POWL +7124.3%KLAC compounded faster
05k10k15k20kStart $100200120062011201620212026$19,431$7,224
KLAC POWL

KLAC vs POWL: by the numbers

  • KLAC is the larger company ($332.50B vs $10.74B market cap).
  • POWL trades at the lower earnings multiple (57.61 vs 72.05 P/E).
  • KLAC converts more revenue to profit (35.66% vs 16.51% net margin).
  • POWL grew revenue faster over the past five years (19.84% vs 15.21% CAGR).
  • KLAC pays the higher dividend yield (3.14% vs 0.12%).

Which is better, KLAC or POWL?

Metric tally: KLAC 7 · POWL 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValuePOWL(lower P/E)
GrowthPOWL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeKLAC(higher dividend yield)
QualityKLAC(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricKLACPOWL
P/E ratio72.0557.61
Forward P/E44.88
P/S ratio25.619.51
P/B ratio57.5215.19
PEG ratio0.061.03
EV / EBITDA57.5641.17
FCF yield1.20%1.79%

Profitability

MetricKLACPOWL
Gross margin61.75%30.10%
Operating margin42.08%19.76%
Net margin35.66%16.51%
ROE80.11%26.36%
ROIC38.11%25.41%

Dividends

MetricKLACPOWL
Dividend yield3.14%0.12%
Payout ratio262.04%7.18%

Growth (annualized)

MetricKLACPOWL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)15.21%19.84%
EPS CAGR (5Y)31.52%59.98%
FCF CAGR (5Y)15.49%34.56%
Total return CAGR (5Y)67.17%99.30%

Frequently asked

Which is better, KLAC or POWL?
It depends on your goal. value: POWL (lower P/E); growth: POWL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: KLAC (higher dividend yield); quality: KLAC (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, POWL leads 9 to 7.
Is KLAC or POWL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, POWL is cheaper: KLAC trades at a 72.05 P/E and POWL at 57.61.
Which has grown faster, KLAC or POWL?
Over the past five years, POWL grew revenue faster — KLAC at a 15.21% CAGR versus POWL at 19.84%.
Does KLAC or POWL pay a bigger dividend?
KLAC yields 3.14% and POWL yields 0.12% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is KLAC or POWL more profitable?
KLAC runs the higher net margin — KLAC at 35.66% versus POWL at 16.51%.
Which has been the better investment, KLAC or POWL?
Over the past 10-year, KLAC delivered the higher annualized total return — KLAC at 67.44% versus POWL at 47.08%. 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.