AME vs PNR

For growth investors, AMETEK, Inc.

(AME) is the stronger pick with 6. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 2. 3% for Pentair plc (PNR). Pentair plc (PNR) offers the better valuation at 20. 2x trailing P/E (14. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate AMETEK, Inc. (AME) a "Buy" — based on 29 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, Pentair plc (PNR) is the cheapest at 20.

2x versus AMETEK, Inc. at 37. 7x. On forward P/E, Pentair plc is actually cheaper at 14. 9x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Pentair plc wins at 1. 14x versus AMETEK, Inc. 's 2. 68x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.

Over the past 5 years, AMETEK, Inc.

(AME) delivered a total return of +81. 5%, compared to +25. 6% for Pentair plc (PNR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AME returned +433. 2% versus PNR's +127. 0%. 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), AMETEK, Inc.

(AME) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 93β versus Pentair plc's 1. 22β — meaning PNR is approximately 31% more volatile than AME relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, AMETEK, Inc. (AME) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 21% versus 42% for Pentair plc — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), AMETEK, Inc.

(AME) is pulling ahead at 6. 6% versus 2. 3% for Pentair plc (PNR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: AMETEK, Inc. grew EPS 7. 9% year-over-year, compared to 5. 9% for Pentair plc. Over a 3-year CAGR, AME leads at 6. 4% 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.

AMETEK, Inc.

(AME) is the more profitable company, earning 20. 0% net margin versus 15. 7% for Pentair plc — meaning it keeps 20. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: AME leads at 26. 2% versus 20. 5% for PNR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — PNR leads at 40. 5%, 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, Pentair plc (PNR) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 14x versus AMETEK, Inc. 's 2. 68x. A PEG below 1. 5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, Pentair plc (PNR) trades at 14. 9x forward P/E versus 29. 9x for AMETEK, Inc. — 15. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for PNR: 42. 0% to $113. 56.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Pentair plc (PNR) offers the highest yield at 1. 2%, versus 0. 5% for AMETEK, Inc. (AME).

For long-horizon retirement investors, AMETEK, Inc.

(AME) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 93), 0. 5% yield, +433. 2% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (AME: +433. 2%, PNR: +127. 0%), 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.

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.