Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL) vs Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB)

POWL leads on 7 of 9 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Powell Industries, Inc. and Rocket Lab USA, 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 — POWL vs RKLB

growth of $100 · last 6y
POWL +3110.8%RKLB +950.8%POWL compounded faster
01k2k3kStart $100202120222023202420252026$3,211$1,051
POWL RKLB

POWL vs RKLB: by the numbers

  • RKLB is the larger company ($59.27B vs $10.74B market cap).
  • POWL is profitable (16.51% net margin) while RKLB runs a net loss (-26.87%).
  • RKLB grew revenue faster over the past five years (67.26% vs 19.84% CAGR).
  • POWL pays a dividend (0.12% yield) while RKLB does not currently pay one.

Which is better, POWL or RKLB?

Metric tally: POWL 7 · RKLB 2

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthRKLB(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityPOWL(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricPOWLRKLB
P/E ratio57.61
Forward P/E44.88
P/S ratio9.5191.22
P/B ratio15.1927.38
PEG ratio1.03
EV / EBITDA41.17
FCF yield1.79%

Profitability

MetricPOWLRKLB
Gross margin30.10%36.56%
Operating margin19.76%-33.20%
Net margin16.51%-26.87%
ROE26.36%-8.06%
ROIC25.41%-10.09%

Dividends

MetricPOWLRKLB
Dividend yield0.12%
Payout ratio7.18%

Growth (annualized)

MetricPOWLRKLB
Revenue CAGR (5Y)19.84%67.26%
EPS CAGR (5Y)59.98%
FCF CAGR (5Y)34.56%
Total return CAGR (5Y)99.30%57.75%

Frequently asked

Which is better, POWL or RKLB?
It depends on your goal. growth: RKLB (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: POWL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, POWL leads 7 to 2.
Which has grown faster, POWL or RKLB?
Over the past five years, RKLB grew revenue faster — POWL at a 19.84% CAGR versus RKLB at 67.26%.
Does POWL or RKLB pay a bigger dividend?
POWL pays a dividend (0.12% yield) while RKLB does not currently pay one.
Is POWL or RKLB more profitable?
POWL runs the higher net margin — POWL at 16.51% versus RKLB at -26.87%.
Which has been the better investment, POWL or RKLB?
Over the past 5-year, RKLB delivered the higher annualized total return — POWL at 47.08% versus RKLB at 57.75%. 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.