Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL) vs Western Digital Corporation (WDC)

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

A side-by-side comparison of Powell Industries, Inc. and Western Digital 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 WDC

growth of $100 · last 30y
POWL +7124.3%WDC +6275.1%POWL compounded faster
02k4k6k8kStart $100200120062011201620212026$7,224$6,375
POWL WDC

POWL vs WDC: by the numbers

  • WDC is the larger company ($194.03B vs $10.74B market cap).
  • WDC trades at the lower earnings multiple (32.96 vs 57.61 P/E).
  • WDC converts more revenue to profit (55.07% vs 16.51% net margin).
  • POWL grew revenue faster over the past five years (19.84% vs -6.28% CAGR).
  • POWL pays the higher dividend yield (0.12% vs 0.09%).

Which is better, POWL or WDC?

Metric tally: POWL 9 · WDC 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Valuation

MetricPOWLWDC
P/E ratio57.6132.96
Forward P/E44.8832.14
P/S ratio9.5117.97
P/B ratio15.1921.87
PEG ratio1.032.55
EV / EBITDA41.1728.04
FCF yield1.79%1.37%

Profitability

MetricPOWLWDC
Gross margin30.10%45.43%
Operating margin19.76%30.78%
Net margin16.51%55.07%
ROE26.36%67.00%
ROIC25.41%21.53%

Dividends

MetricPOWLWDC
Dividend yield0.12%0.09%
Payout ratio7.18%9.42%

Growth (annualized)

MetricPOWLWDC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)19.84%-6.28%
EPS CAGR (5Y)59.98%12.92%
FCF CAGR (5Y)34.56%78.08%
Total return CAGR (5Y)99.30%58.48%

Frequently asked

Which is better, POWL or WDC?
It depends on your goal. value: WDC (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 WDC cheaper?
On trailing earnings, WDC is cheaper: POWL trades at a 57.61 P/E and WDC at 32.96.
Which has grown faster, POWL or WDC?
Over the past five years, POWL grew revenue faster — POWL at a 19.84% CAGR versus WDC at -6.28%.
Does POWL or WDC pay a bigger dividend?
POWL yields 0.12% and WDC yields 0.09% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is POWL or WDC more profitable?
WDC runs the higher net margin — POWL at 16.51% versus WDC at 55.07%.
Which has been the better investment, POWL or WDC?
Over the past 10-year, POWL delivered the higher annualized total return — POWL at 47.08% versus WDC at 33.71%. 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.