Nordson Corporation (NDSN) vs RBC Bearings Incorporated (RBC)
NDSN leads on 12 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Nordson Corporation and RBC Bearings Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 9, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
NDSN
Nordson Corporation
$286.37Industrials
RBC
RBC Bearings Incorporated
$595.61Industrials
Total return — NDSN vs RBC
growth of $100 · last 21yNDSN +1651.3%RBC +1856.8%RBC compounded faster
NDSN RBC
NDSN vs RBC: by the numbers
- •RBC is the larger company ($18.84B vs $15.96B market cap).
- •NDSN trades at the lower earnings multiple (30.30 vs 65.33 P/E).
- •NDSN converts more revenue to profit (18.19% vs 15.37% net margin).
- •RBC grew revenue faster over the past five years (22.93% vs 5.59% CAGR).
- •NDSN pays a dividend (1.16% yield) while RBC does not currently pay one.
Which is better, NDSN or RBC?
Metric tally: NDSN 12 · RBC 4It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueNDSN(lower P/E)
GrowthRBC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityNDSN(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | NDSN | RBC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 30.30● | 65.33 |
| Forward P/E | 24.47● | 48.79 |
| P/S ratio | 5.49● | 10.07 |
| P/B ratio | 4.97● | 5.60 |
| PEG ratio | 5.68 | 3.27● |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.47● | 36.17 |
| FCF yield | 4.51%● | 1.82% |
Profitability
| Metric | NDSN | RBC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 55.11%● | 44.37% |
| Operating margin | 26.37%● | 22.50% |
| Net margin | 18.19%● | 15.37% |
| ROE | 16.49%● | 8.56% |
| ROIC | 10.68%● | 6.88% |
Dividends
| Metric | NDSN | RBC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.16% | — |
| Payout ratio | 38.32% | — |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | NDSN | RBC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 5.59% | 22.93%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 14.66%● | 10.16% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 8.01% | 19.21%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 6.81% | 35.99%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, NDSN or RBC?
- It depends on your goal. value: NDSN (lower P/E); growth: RBC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: NDSN (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, NDSN leads 12 to 4.
- Is NDSN or RBC cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, NDSN is cheaper: NDSN trades at a 30.30 P/E and RBC at 65.33.
- Which has grown faster, NDSN or RBC?
- Over the past five years, RBC grew revenue faster — NDSN at a 5.59% CAGR versus RBC at 22.93%.
- Does NDSN or RBC pay a bigger dividend?
- NDSN pays a dividend (1.16% yield) while RBC does not currently pay one.
- Is NDSN or RBC more profitable?
- NDSN runs the higher net margin — NDSN at 18.19% versus RBC at 15.37%.
- Which has been the better investment, NDSN or RBC?
- Over the past 10-year, RBC delivered the higher annualized total return — NDSN at 13.90% versus RBC at 26.22%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Nordson P/E ratioRBC Bearings P/E ratioNordson dividend yieldRBC Bearings dividend yieldNordson ROERBC Bearings ROENordson operating marginRBC Bearings operating marginNordson revenue growthRBC Bearings revenue growthNordson free cash flowRBC Bearings free cash flow
Nordson & RBC Bearings 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 July 9, 2026.