PACCAR Inc (PCAR) vs Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL)

POWL leads on 10 of 17 compared metrics, though PCAR is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of PACCAR 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 — PCAR vs POWL

growth of $100 · last 30y
PCAR +3592.2%POWL +7124.3%POWL compounded faster
02k4k6k8kStart $100200120062011201620212026$3,692$7,224
PCAR POWL

PCAR vs POWL: by the numbers

  • PCAR is the larger company ($62.38B vs $10.74B market cap).
  • PCAR trades at the lower earnings multiple (25.22 vs 57.61 P/E).
  • POWL converts more revenue to profit (16.51% vs 9.09% net margin).
  • POWL grew revenue faster over the past five years (19.84% vs 7.01% CAGR).
  • PCAR pays the higher dividend yield (2.31% vs 0.12%).

Which is better, PCAR or POWL?

Metric tally: PCAR 7 · POWL 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValuePCAR(lower P/E)
GrowthPOWL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomePCAR(higher dividend yield)
QualityPOWL(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricPCARPOWL
P/E ratio25.2257.61
Forward P/E20.8844.88
P/S ratio2.299.51
P/B ratio3.1615.19
PEG ratio2.001.03
EV / EBITDA19.8441.17
FCF yield5.23%1.79%

Profitability

MetricPCARPOWL
Gross margin15.11%30.10%
Operating margin9.68%19.76%
Net margin9.09%16.51%
ROE12.53%26.36%
ROIC6.39%25.41%

Dividends

MetricPCARPOWL
Dividend yield2.31%0.12%
Payout ratio60.62%7.18%

Growth (annualized)

MetricPCARPOWL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)7.01%19.84%
EPS CAGR (5Y)12.58%59.98%
FCF CAGR (5Y)15.97%34.56%
Total return CAGR (5Y)16.19%99.30%

Frequently asked

Which is better, PCAR or POWL?
It depends on your goal. value: PCAR (lower P/E); growth: POWL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: PCAR (higher dividend yield); quality: POWL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, POWL leads 10 to 7.
Is PCAR or POWL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, PCAR is cheaper: PCAR trades at a 25.22 P/E and POWL at 57.61.
Which has grown faster, PCAR or POWL?
Over the past five years, POWL grew revenue faster — PCAR at a 7.01% CAGR versus POWL at 19.84%.
Does PCAR or POWL pay a bigger dividend?
PCAR yields 2.31% and POWL yields 0.12% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is PCAR or POWL more profitable?
POWL runs the higher net margin — PCAR at 9.09% versus POWL at 16.51%.
Which has been the better investment, PCAR or POWL?
Over the past 10-year, POWL delivered the higher annualized total return — PCAR at 14.87% 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.