Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL) vs Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM)

POWL leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics, though PRIM is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Powell Industries, Inc. and Primoris Services Corporation 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 — POWL vs PRIM

growth of $100 · last 20y
POWL +3589.0%PRIM +1285.5%POWL compounded faster
01k2k3k4kStart $10020102014201820222026$3,689$1,386
POWL PRIM

POWL vs PRIM: by the numbers

  • POWL is the larger company ($10.74B vs $5.35B market cap).
  • PRIM trades at the lower earnings multiple (21.78 vs 57.61 P/E).
  • POWL converts more revenue to profit (16.51% vs 3.31% net margin).
  • POWL grew revenue faster over the past five years (19.84% vs 15.99% CAGR).
  • PRIM pays the higher dividend yield (0.32% vs 0.12%).

Which is better, POWL or PRIM?

Metric tally: POWL 9 · PRIM 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValuePRIM(lower P/E)
GrowthPOWL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityPOWL(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricPOWLPRIM
P/E ratio57.6121.78
Forward P/E44.8816.71
P/S ratio9.510.72
P/B ratio15.193.21
PEG ratio1.030.48
EV / EBITDA41.1713.21
FCF yield1.79%3.04%

Profitability

MetricPOWLPRIM
Gross margin30.10%10.38%
Operating margin19.76%4.96%
Net margin16.51%3.31%
ROE26.36%14.73%
ROIC25.41%10.68%

Dividends

MetricPOWLPRIM
Dividend yield0.12%0.32%
Payout ratio7.18%6.29%

Growth (annualized)

MetricPOWLPRIM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)19.84%15.99%
EPS CAGR (5Y)59.98%18.59%
FCF CAGR (5Y)34.56%-8.09%
Total return CAGR (5Y)99.30%25.73%

Frequently asked

Which is better, POWL or PRIM?
It depends on your goal. value: PRIM (lower P/E); growth: POWL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: POWL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, POWL leads 9 to 8.
Is POWL or PRIM cheaper?
On trailing earnings, PRIM is cheaper: POWL trades at a 57.61 P/E and PRIM at 21.78.
Which has grown faster, POWL or PRIM?
Over the past five years, POWL grew revenue faster — POWL at a 19.84% CAGR versus PRIM at 15.99%.
Does POWL or PRIM pay a bigger dividend?
POWL yields 0.12% and PRIM yields 0.32% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is POWL or PRIM more profitable?
POWL runs the higher net margin — POWL at 16.51% versus PRIM at 3.31%.
Which has been the better investment, POWL or PRIM?
Over the past 10-year, POWL delivered the higher annualized total return — POWL at 47.08% versus PRIM at 18.19%. 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.