Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL) vs QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM)

QCOM leads on 11 of 17 compared metrics.

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 June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Not enough overlapping price history to compare POWL and QCOM.

POWL vs QCOM: by the numbers

  • QCOM is the larger company ($223.15B vs $10.74B market cap).
  • QCOM trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.72 vs 57.61 P/E).
  • QCOM converts more revenue to profit (22.31% vs 16.51% net margin).
  • POWL grew revenue faster over the past five years (19.84% vs 8.63% CAGR).
  • QCOM pays the higher dividend yield (1.70% vs 0.12%).

Which is better, POWL or QCOM?

Metric tally: POWL 6 · QCOM 11

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Valuation

MetricPOWLQCOM
P/E ratio57.6122.72
Forward P/E44.8819.72
P/S ratio9.515.10
P/B ratio15.198.32
PEG ratio1.033.96
EV / EBITDA41.1716.71
FCF yield1.79%5.51%

Profitability

MetricPOWLQCOM
Gross margin30.10%54.80%
Operating margin19.76%25.52%
Net margin16.51%22.31%
ROE26.36%36.38%
ROIC25.41%13.15%

Dividends

MetricPOWLQCOM
Dividend yield0.12%1.70%
Payout ratio7.18%70.95%

Growth (annualized)

MetricPOWLQCOM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)19.84%8.63%
EPS CAGR (5Y)59.98%5.74%
FCF CAGR (5Y)34.56%9.39%
Total return CAGR (5Y)99.30%11.87%

Frequently asked

Which is better, POWL or QCOM?
It depends on your goal. value: QCOM (lower P/E); growth: POWL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: QCOM (higher dividend yield); quality: POWL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, QCOM leads 11 to 6.
Is POWL or QCOM cheaper?
On trailing earnings, QCOM is cheaper: POWL trades at a 57.61 P/E and QCOM at 22.72.
Which has grown faster, POWL or QCOM?
Over the past five years, POWL grew revenue faster — POWL at a 19.84% CAGR versus QCOM at 8.63%.
Does POWL or QCOM pay a bigger dividend?
POWL yields 0.12% and QCOM yields 1.70% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is POWL or QCOM more profitable?
QCOM runs the higher net margin — POWL at 16.51% versus QCOM at 22.31%.
Which has been the better investment, POWL or QCOM?
Over the past 10-year, POWL delivered the higher annualized total return — POWL at 47.08% versus QCOM at 17.83%. 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.