SPXC vs GNRC vs FELE

For growth investors, SPX Technologies, Inc.

(SPXC) is the stronger pick with 14. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -2. 0% for Generac Holdings Inc. (GNRC). Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. (FELE) offers the better valuation at 30. 6x trailing P/E (21. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate SPX Technologies, Inc. (SPXC) a "Buy" — based on 12 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, Franklin Electric Co.

, Inc. (FELE) is the cheapest at 30. 6x versus Generac Holdings Inc. at 100. 2x. On forward P/E, Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. is actually cheaper at 21. 6x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: SPX Technologies, Inc. wins at 1. 33x versus Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. 's 2. 48x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.

Over the past 5 years, SPX Technologies, Inc.

(SPXC) delivered a total return of +219. 0%, compared to -11. 7% for Generac Holdings Inc. (GNRC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SPXC returned +1169% versus FELE's +229. 5%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Franklin Electric Co.

, Inc. (FELE) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 89β versus Generac Holdings Inc. 's 1. 69β — meaning GNRC is approximately 91% more volatile than FELE relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. (FELE) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 21% versus 51% for Generac Holdings Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), SPX Technologies, Inc.

(SPXC) is pulling ahead at 14. 2% versus -2. 0% for Generac Holdings Inc. (GNRC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: SPX Technologies, Inc. grew EPS 17. 9% year-over-year, compared to -50. 1% for Generac Holdings Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, SPXC leads at 15. 7% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

SPX Technologies, Inc.

(SPXC) is the more profitable company, earning 10. 8% net margin versus 3. 8% for Generac Holdings Inc. — meaning it keeps 10. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SPXC leads at 16. 8% versus 6. 9% for GNRC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — GNRC leads at 38. 3%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, SPX Technologies, Inc. (SPXC) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 33x versus Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. 's 2. 48x. A PEG below 1. 5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. (FELE) trades at 21. 6x forward P/E versus 30. 2x for Generac Holdings Inc. — 8. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for SPXC: 24. 2% to $252. 00.

In this comparison, FELE (1.

1% yield) pays a dividend. SPXC, GNRC do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Franklin Electric Co.

, Inc. (FELE) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 89), 1. 1% yield, +229. 5% 10Y return). Generac Holdings Inc. (GNRC) carries a higher beta of 1. 69 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (FELE: +229. 5%, GNRC: +673. 7%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

FELE pays a dividend while SPXC, GNRC do not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.