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).
POWL
Powell Industries, Inc.
$294.75Industrials
WDC
Western Digital Corporation
$562.92Technology
Total return — POWL vs WDC
growth of $100 · last 30yPOWL +7124.3%WDC +6275.1%POWL compounded faster
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 8It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueWDC(lower P/E)
GrowthPOWL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityPOWL(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | POWL | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 57.61 | 32.96● |
| Forward P/E | 44.88 | 32.14● |
| P/S ratio | 9.51● | 17.97 |
| P/B ratio | 15.19● | 21.87 |
| PEG ratio | 1.03● | 2.55 |
| EV / EBITDA | 41.17 | 28.04● |
| FCF yield | 1.79%● | 1.37% |
Profitability
| Metric | POWL | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 30.10% | 45.43%● |
| Operating margin | 19.76% | 30.78%● |
| Net margin | 16.51% | 55.07%● |
| ROE | 26.36% | 67.00%● |
| ROIC | 25.41%● | 21.53% |
Dividends
| Metric | POWL | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.12%● | 0.09% |
| Payout ratio | 7.18% | 9.42% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | POWL | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Powell Industries P/E ratioWestern Digital P/E ratioPowell Industries dividend yieldWestern Digital dividend yieldPowell Industries ROEWestern Digital ROEPowell Industries operating marginWestern Digital operating marginPowell Industries revenue growthWestern Digital revenue growthPowell Industries free cash flowWestern Digital free cash flow
Powell Industries & Western Digital 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.