ATMU vs FELE

For growth investors, Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc.

(ATMU) is the stronger pick with 5. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 5. 4% for Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. (FELE). Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. (ATMU) offers the better valuation at 21. 9x trailing P/E (18. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. (ATMU) a "Buy" — based on 5 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, Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc.

(ATMU) is the cheapest at 21. 9x versus Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. at 30. 8x. On forward P/E, Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. is actually cheaper at 18. 8x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. wins at 2. 38x versus Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. 's 2. 50x.

Over the past 5 years, Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc.

(ATMU) delivered a total return of +155. 0%, compared to +20. 3% for Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. (FELE). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: FELE returned +231. 4% versus ATMU's +155. 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), Franklin Electric Co.

, Inc. (FELE) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 92β versus Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. 's 1. 34β — meaning ATMU is approximately 47% 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 151% for Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

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

(ATMU) is pulling ahead at 5. 7% versus 5. 4% for Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. (FELE). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. grew EPS 12. 6% year-over-year, compared to -15. 8% for Franklin Electric Co. , Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ATMU leads at 4. 1% 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.

Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc.

(ATMU) is the more profitable company, earning 11. 8% net margin versus 6. 9% for Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. — meaning it keeps 11. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ATMU leads at 16. 4% versus 12. 7% for FELE. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — FELE leads at 35. 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, Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. (ATMU) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 2. 38x versus Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. 's 2. 50x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. (ATMU) trades at 18. 8x forward P/E versus 21. 8x for Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. — 3. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for FELE: 0. 1% to $100. 00.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. (FELE) offers the highest yield at 1. 1%, versus 0. 4% for Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. (ATMU).

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. 92), 1. 1% yield, +231. 4% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (FELE: +231. 4%, ATMU: +155. 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.

FELE pays a dividend while ATMU does 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.