Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW) vs Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL)

POWL leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Palo Alto Networks, Inc. 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 — PANW vs POWL

growth of $100 · last 14y
PANW +3059.5%POWL +2316.0%PANW compounded faster
01k2k3kStart $1002015201820212024$3,160$2,416
PANW POWL

PANW vs POWL: by the numbers

  • PANW is the larger company ($190.56B vs $10.74B market cap).
  • POWL trades at the lower earnings multiple (57.61 vs 243.15 P/E).
  • POWL converts more revenue to profit (16.51% vs 7.95% net margin).
  • PANW grew revenue faster over the past five years (21.62% vs 19.84% CAGR).
  • POWL pays a dividend (0.12% yield) while PANW does not currently pay one.

Which is better, PANW or POWL?

Metric tally: PANW 5 · POWL 11

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValuePOWL(lower P/E)
GrowthPANW(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityPOWL(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricPANWPOWL
P/E ratio243.1557.61
Forward P/E68.6244.88
P/S ratio19.619.51
P/B ratio7.5215.19
PEG ratio3.501.03
EV / EBITDA117.4641.17
FCF yield2.06%1.79%

Profitability

MetricPANWPOWL
Gross margin71.94%30.10%
Operating margin9.65%19.76%
Net margin7.95%16.51%
ROE3.05%26.36%
ROIC5.67%25.41%

Dividends

MetricPANWPOWL
Dividend yield0.12%
Payout ratio7.18%

Growth (annualized)

MetricPANWPOWL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)21.62%19.84%
EPS CAGR (5Y)69.46%59.98%
FCF CAGR (5Y)25.30%34.56%
Total return CAGR (5Y)35.59%99.30%

Frequently asked

Which is better, PANW or POWL?
It depends on your goal. value: POWL (lower P/E); growth: PANW (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: POWL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, POWL leads 11 to 5.
Is PANW or POWL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, POWL is cheaper: PANW trades at a 243.15 P/E and POWL at 57.61.
Which has grown faster, PANW or POWL?
Over the past five years, PANW grew revenue faster — PANW at a 21.62% CAGR versus POWL at 19.84%.
Does PANW or POWL pay a bigger dividend?
POWL pays a dividend (0.12% yield) while PANW does not currently pay one.
Is PANW or POWL more profitable?
POWL runs the higher net margin — PANW at 7.95% versus POWL at 16.51%.
Which has been the better investment, PANW or POWL?
Over the past 10-year, POWL delivered the higher annualized total return — PANW at 29.01% 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.