Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL) vs QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM)
A side-by-side comparison of Powell Industries, Inc. and QUALCOMM Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 10, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Different business models: POWL is classified in Industrials; QCOM is classified in Technology. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
POWL
Powell Industries, Inc.
$182.50IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
QCOM
QUALCOMM Incorporated
$181.97TechnologyDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — POWL vs QCOM
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yPOWL +2673.0% (+39.4%/yr)QCOM +266.6% (+13.9%/yr)POWL compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
POWL QCOM
POWL vs QCOM: by the numbers
- •QCOM is the larger company ($191.07B vs $6.65B market cap).
- •QCOM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (20.77 vs 34.98 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •QCOM converts more revenue to profit (21.01% vs 16.49% net margin).
- •POWL grew revenue faster over the past five years (20.49% vs 6.23% CAGR).
- •QCOM pays the higher dividend yield (2.05% vs 0.20%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | POWL | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 34.98 | 20.77 |
| Forward P/E | 33.89 | 17.26 |
| P/S ratio | 5.74 | 4.34 |
| P/B ratio | 8.79 | 6.91 |
| EV / EBITDA | 25.48 | 17.11 |
| FCF yield | 3.67% | 5.45% |
Profitability
| Metric | POWL | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 30.08% | 54.23% |
| Operating margin | 19.67% | 23.19% |
| Net margin | 16.49% | 21.01% |
| ROE | 25.24% | 33.48% |
| ROIC | 22.63% | 17.42% |
Dividends
| Metric | POWL | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.20% | 2.05% |
| Payout ratio | 6.87% | 41.32% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | POWL | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 20.49% | 6.23% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 59.98% | 2.02% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 38.80% | 2.09% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 92.30% | 6.80% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, POWL or QCOM?
- QCOM has the lower trailing P/E: POWL trades at 34.98 and QCOM at 20.77. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, POWL or QCOM?
- Over the past five years, POWL grew revenue faster — POWL at a 20.49% CAGR versus QCOM at 6.23%.
- Does POWL or QCOM pay a bigger dividend?
- POWL yields 0.20% and QCOM yields 2.05% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is POWL or QCOM more profitable?
- QCOM runs the higher net margin — POWL at 16.49% versus QCOM at 21.01%.
- How have POWL and QCOM total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, POWL delivered 39.56% and QCOM delivered 14.33% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Powell Industries P/E ratioQUALCOMM P/E ratioPowell Industries dividend yieldQUALCOMM dividend yieldPowell Industries ROEQUALCOMM ROEPowell Industries operating marginQUALCOMM operating marginPowell Industries revenue growthQUALCOMM revenue growthPowell Industries free cash flowQUALCOMM free cash flow
Powell Industries & QUALCOMM 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 September 10, 2026.