Industrial - Machinery
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GNRC vs FELE
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Industrial - Machinery
GNRC vs FELE — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Industrial - Machinery | Industrial - Machinery |
| Market Cap | $15.69B | $4.46B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $4.33B | $2.18B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $189M | $150M |
| Gross Margin | 38.1% | 35.2% |
| Operating Margin | 7.5% | 12.6% |
| Forward P/E | 31.0x | 22.0x |
| Total Debt | $1.33B | $280M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $341M | $100M |
GNRC vs FELE — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generac Holdings In… (GNRC) | 100 | 240.3 | +140.3% |
| Franklin Electric C… (FELE) | 100 | 199.1 | +99.1% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: GNRC vs FELE
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
GNRC is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 6.7% 10Y total return vs FELE's 233.1%
- +135.1% vs FELE's +17.9%
FELE carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 32 yrs, beta 0.92, yield 1.1%
- Rev growth 5.4%, EPS growth -15.8%, 3Y rev CAGR 1.4%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.92, Low D/E 21.1%, current ratio 2.79x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 5.4% revenue growth vs GNRC's -2.0% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (22.0x vs 31.0x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 6.9% margin vs GNRC's 4.4% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.92 vs GNRC's 1.69, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 1.1% yield; 32-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +135.1% vs FELE's +17.9% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 7.6% ROA vs GNRC's 3.4%, ROIC 14.7% vs 5.9% |
GNRC vs FELE — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
GNRC vs FELE — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
GNRC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
GNRC is the larger business by revenue, generating $4.3B annually — 2.0x FELE's $2.2B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 6.9% (FELE) to 4.4% (GNRC).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $4.3B | $2.2B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $472M | $322M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $189M | $150M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $419M | $169M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +38.1% | +35.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +7.5% | +12.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +4.4% | +6.9% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +9.7% | +7.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +12.4% | +9.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +69.9% | +13.4% |
Valuation Metrics
FELE leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 31.1x trailing earnings, FELE trades at a 69% valuation discount to GNRC's 99.4x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, FELE's 14.0x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than GNRC's 34.5x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $15.7B | $4.5B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $16.7B | $4.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 99.41x | 31.07x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 30.99x | 22.00x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 3.56x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 34.47x | 13.95x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 3.73x | 2.09x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 6.01x | 3.44x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 58.52x | 23.04x |
Profitability & Efficiency
FELE leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
FELE delivers a 11.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $11 in annual profit, vs $7 for GNRC. FELE carries lower financial leverage with a 0.21x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to GNRC's 0.51x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), GNRC scores 6/9 vs FELE's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +7.2% | +11.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +3.4% | +7.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +5.9% | +14.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +6.9% | +18.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.51x | 0.21x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $992M | $181M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $341M | $100M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $1.3B | $280M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 4.54x | 24.75x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
GNRC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in FELE five years ago would be worth $12,118 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $8,405 for GNRC. Over the past 12 months, GNRC leads with a +135.1% total return vs FELE's +17.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors GNRC at 34.3% vs FELE's 3.5% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +89.5% | +4.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +135.1% | +17.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +142.1% | +10.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -15.9% | +21.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +668.7% | +233.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +34.3% | +3.5% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — GNRC and FELE each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
FELE is the less volatile stock with a 0.92 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than GNRC's 1.69 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. GNRC currently trades 99.3% from its 52-week high vs FELE's 90.5% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.69x | 0.92x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $269.25 | $111.53 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $113.50 | $83.42 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +99.3% | +90.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 76.7 | 52.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 902K | 284K |
Analyst Outlook
FELE leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates GNRC as "Buy" and FELE as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 1.4% upside for GNRC (target: $271) vs -1.0% for FELE (target: $100). FELE is the only dividend payer here at 1.09% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $271.22 | $100.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 39 | 11 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.0% | +1.1% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 32 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.00 | $1.11 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.9% | +3.7% |
FELE leads in 3 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). GNRC leads in 2 (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). 1 tied.
GNRC vs FELE: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is GNRC or FELE a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Franklin Electric Co.
, Inc. (FELE) is the stronger pick with 5. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -2. 0% for Generac Holdings Inc. (GNRC). Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. (FELE) offers the better valuation at 31. 1x trailing P/E (22. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Generac Holdings Inc. (GNRC) a "Buy" — based on 39 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.
02Which has the better valuation — GNRC or FELE?
On trailing P/E, Franklin Electric Co.
, Inc. (FELE) is the cheapest at 31. 1x versus Generac Holdings Inc. at 99. 4x. On forward P/E, Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. is actually cheaper at 22. 0x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — GNRC or FELE?
Over the past 5 years, Franklin Electric Co.
, Inc. (FELE) delivered a total return of +21. 2%, compared to -15. 9% for Generac Holdings Inc. (GNRC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GNRC returned +668. 7% versus FELE's +233. 1%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — GNRC or FELE?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Franklin Electric Co.
, Inc. (FELE) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 92β versus Generac Holdings Inc. 's 1. 69β — meaning GNRC is approximately 85% 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.
05Which is growing faster — GNRC or FELE?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Franklin Electric Co.
, Inc. (FELE) is pulling ahead at 5. 4% versus -2. 0% for Generac Holdings Inc. (GNRC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. grew EPS -15. 8% year-over-year, compared to -50. 1% for Generac Holdings Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, FELE leads at 1. 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.
06Which has better profit margins — GNRC or FELE?
Franklin Electric Co.
, Inc. (FELE) is the more profitable company, earning 6. 9% net margin versus 3. 8% for Generac Holdings Inc. — meaning it keeps 6. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: FELE leads at 12. 7% 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.
07Is GNRC or FELE more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Franklin Electric Co.
, Inc. (FELE) trades at 22. 0x forward P/E versus 31. 0x for Generac Holdings Inc. — 9. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for GNRC: 1. 4% to $271. 22.
08Which pays a better dividend — GNRC or FELE?
In this comparison, FELE (1.
1% yield) pays a dividend. GNRC does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is GNRC or FELE better for a retirement portfolio?
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, +233. 1% 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: +233. 1%, GNRC: +668. 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.
10What are the main differences between GNRC and FELE?
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 GNRC 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.
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