Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL) vs Valero Energy Corporation (VLO)
POWL leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics, though VLO is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of Powell Industries, Inc. and Valero Energy 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).
POWL
Powell Industries, Inc.
$294.75Industrials
VLO
Valero Energy Corporation
$258.67Energy
Total return — POWL vs VLO
growth of $100 · last 30yPOWL +7124.3%VLO +6148.1%POWL compounded faster
POWL VLO
POWL vs VLO: by the numbers
- •VLO is the larger company ($76.81B vs $10.74B market cap).
- •VLO trades at the lower earnings multiple (18.79 vs 57.61 P/E).
- •POWL converts more revenue to profit (16.51% vs 3.33% net margin).
- •POWL grew revenue faster over the past five years (19.84% vs 14.68% CAGR).
- •VLO pays the higher dividend yield (1.80% vs 0.12%).
Which is better, POWL or VLO?
Metric tally: POWL 9 · VLO 8It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueVLO(lower P/E)
GrowthPOWL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeVLO(higher dividend yield)
QualityPOWL(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | POWL | VLO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 57.61 | 18.79● |
| Forward P/E | 44.88 | 12.45● |
| P/S ratio | 9.51 | 0.61● |
| P/B ratio | 15.19 | 3.23● |
| PEG ratio | 1.03● | 4.28 |
| EV / EBITDA | 41.17 | 9.10● |
| FCF yield | 1.79% | 7.69%● |
Profitability
| Metric | POWL | VLO |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 30.10%● | 7.24% |
| Operating margin | 19.76%● | 4.61% |
| Net margin | 16.51%● | 3.33% |
| ROE | 26.36%● | 17.62% |
| ROIC | 25.41%● | 7.12% |
Dividends
| Metric | POWL | VLO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.12% | 1.80%● |
| Payout ratio | 7.18% | 61.56% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | POWL | VLO |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 19.84%● | 14.68% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 59.98%● | 4.39% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 34.56% | 67.44%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 99.30%● | 30.36% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, POWL or VLO?
- It depends on your goal. value: VLO (lower P/E); growth: POWL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: VLO (higher dividend yield); quality: POWL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, POWL leads 9 to 8.
- Is POWL or VLO cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, VLO is cheaper: POWL trades at a 57.61 P/E and VLO at 18.79.
- Which has grown faster, POWL or VLO?
- Over the past five years, POWL grew revenue faster — POWL at a 19.84% CAGR versus VLO at 14.68%.
- Does POWL or VLO pay a bigger dividend?
- POWL yields 0.12% and VLO yields 1.80% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is POWL or VLO more profitable?
- POWL runs the higher net margin — POWL at 16.51% versus VLO at 3.33%.
- Which has been the better investment, POWL or VLO?
- Over the past 10-year, POWL delivered the higher annualized total return — POWL at 47.08% versus VLO at 21.79%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Powell Industries P/E ratioValero Energy P/E ratioPowell Industries dividend yieldValero Energy dividend yieldPowell Industries ROEValero Energy ROEPowell Industries operating marginValero Energy operating marginPowell Industries revenue growthValero Energy revenue growthPowell Industries free cash flowValero Energy free cash flow
Powell Industries & Valero Energy 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 June 13, 2026.