Pool Corporation (POOL) vs Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL)

POOL and POWL are evenly matched — 8 metrics each of 16.

A side-by-side comparison of Pool Corporation and Powell Industries, Inc. 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).

Compare

Total return — POOL vs POWL

growth of $100 · last 30y
POOL +12824.1%POWL +5875.5%POOL compounded faster
010k20k30kStart $100200120062011201620212026$12,924$5,976
POOL POWL

POOL vs POWL: by the numbers

  • POWL is the larger company ($8.62B vs $7.58B market cap).
  • POOL trades at the lower earnings multiple (18.77 vs 45.31 P/E).
  • POWL converts more revenue to profit (16.51% vs 7.58% net margin).
  • POWL grew revenue faster over the past five years (19.84% vs 4.39% CAGR).
  • POOL pays the higher dividend yield (2.55% vs 0.16%).

Which is better, POOL or POWL?

Metric tally: POOL 8 · POWL 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricPOOLPOWL
P/E ratio18.7745.31
Forward P/E18.4442.44
P/S ratio1.397.48
P/B ratio6.5711.95
PEG ratio5.261.03
EV / EBITDA14.1034.23
FCF yield8.13%2.27%

Profitability

MetricPOOLPOWL
Gross margin29.69%30.10%
Operating margin10.93%19.76%
Net margin7.58%16.51%
ROE35.83%26.36%
ROIC15.43%25.41%

Dividends

MetricPOOLPOWL
Dividend yield2.55%0.16%
Payout ratio47.75%7.21%

Growth (annualized)

MetricPOOLPOWL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.39%19.84%
EPS CAGR (5Y)3.57%59.98%
FCF CAGR (5Y)6.93%34.56%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-14.15%96.62%

Frequently asked

Which is better, POOL or POWL?
It depends on your goal. value: POOL (lower P/E); growth: POWL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: POOL (higher dividend yield); quality: POWL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, they are evenly matched.
Is POOL or POWL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, POOL is cheaper: POOL trades at a 18.77 P/E and POWL at 45.31.
Which has grown faster, POOL or POWL?
Over the past five years, POWL grew revenue faster — POOL at a 4.39% CAGR versus POWL at 19.84%.
Does POOL or POWL pay a bigger dividend?
POOL yields 2.55% and POWL yields 0.16% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is POOL or POWL more profitable?
POWL runs the higher net margin — POOL at 7.58% versus POWL at 16.51%.
Which has been the better investment, POOL or POWL?
Over the past 10-year, POWL delivered the higher annualized total return — POOL at 9.09% versus POWL at 43.76%. 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 July 9, 2026.