POWL
Powell Industries, Inc.
Electrical Equipment & Parts
Market Cap$11.67B
5Y Perf.+3511.0%
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Stock Comparison
POWL vs NVT
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
NVT
nVent Electric plc
Electrical Equipment & Parts
Market Cap$27.89B
5Y Perf.+841.0%
POWL vs NVT — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | POWL | NVT |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Electrical Equipment & Parts | Electrical Equipment & Parts |
| Market Cap | $11.67B | $27.89B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.13B | $4.33B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $187M | $492M |
| Gross Margin | 30.1% | 37.0% |
| Operating Margin | 19.8% | 15.8% |
| Forward P/E | 58.0x | 41.1x |
| Total Debt | $2M | $1.56B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $451M | $238M |
POWL vs NVT — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
POWL
NVT
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powell Industries, … (POWL) | 100 | 3611.0 | +3511.0% |
| nVent Electric plc (NVT) | 100 | 941.0 | +841.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: POWL vs NVT
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: NVT leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Powell Industries, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for profitability and margin quality and recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
POWL
Powell Industries, Inc.
The Long-Run Compounder
POWL is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night.
- 28.4% 10Y total return vs NVT's 6.0%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.95, Low D/E 0.3%, current ratio 2.09x
- 16.5% margin vs NVT's 11.4%
Best for: long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night
NVT
nVent Electric plc
The Income Pick
NVT carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 1.68, yield 0.5%
- Rev growth 29.5%, EPS growth 118.8%, 3Y rev CAGR 19.3%
- Beta 1.68, yield 0.5%, current ratio 1.63x
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | NVT | 29.5% revenue growth vs POWL's 9.1% |
| Value | NVT | Lower P/E (41.1x vs 58.0x) |
| Quality / Margins | POWL | 16.5% margin vs NVT's 11.4% |
| Stability / Safety | NVT | Beta 1.68 vs POWL's 1.95 |
| Dividends | NVT | 0.5% yield, 2-year raise streak, vs POWL's 0.1% |
| Momentum (1Y) | POWL | +405.8% vs NVT's +187.4% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | POWL | 16.9% ROA vs NVT's 7.2%, ROIC 90.6% vs 8.9% |
POWL vs NVT — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
POWL vs NVT — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLPOWLLAGGINGNVT
NVTnVent Electric plc
3leads
POWLPowell Industries, In…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs NVTMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
POWL4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
NVT6/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
POWL7/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
POWL6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
NVT2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
NVT1/1
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
POWL leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NVT is the larger business by revenue, generating $4.3B annually — 3.8x POWL's $1.1B. POWL is the more profitable business, keeping 16.5% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to NVT's 11.4%. On growth, NVT holds the edge at +53.5% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | POWLPowell Industries… | NVTnVent Electric plc |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.1B | $4.3B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $232M | $848M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $187M | $492M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $143M | $387M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +30.1% | +37.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +19.8% | +15.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +16.5% | +11.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +12.6% | +8.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +6.5% | +53.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -0.8% | -59.7% |
POWL leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
NVT leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 40.0x trailing earnings, NVT trades at a 38% valuation discount to POWL's 64.7x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, NVT's 35.4x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than POWL's 49.8x.
| Metric | POWLPowell Industries… | NVTnVent Electric plc |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $11.7B | $27.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $11.2B | $29.2B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 64.66x | 40.02x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 57.98x | 41.07x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 1.08x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 49.83x | 35.43x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 10.57x | 7.16x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 18.25x | 7.61x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 75.38x | 75.00x |
NVT leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
POWL leads this category, winning 7 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
POWL delivers a 28.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $29 in annual profit, vs $13 for NVT. POWL carries lower financial leverage with a 0.00x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to NVT's 0.42x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), NVT scores 6/9 vs POWL's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | POWLPowell Industries… | NVTnVent Electric plc |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +28.6% | +13.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +16.9% | +7.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +90.6% | +8.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +37.5% | +10.5% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.00x | 0.42x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$449M | $1.3B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $451M | $238M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2M | $1.6B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 6.61x |
POWL leads this category, winning 7 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
POWL leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in POWL five years ago would be worth $266,163 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $55,678 for NVT. Over the past 12 months, POWL leads with a +405.8% total return vs NVT's +187.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors POWL at 165.6% vs NVT's 61.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | POWLPowell Industries… | NVTnVent Electric plc |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +172.6% | +61.9% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +405.8% | +187.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +1772.7% | +322.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +2561.6% | +456.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +2843.5% | +599.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +165.6% | +61.6% |
POWL leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
NVT leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
NVT is the less volatile stock with a 1.68 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than POWL's 1.95 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. NVT currently trades 98.8% from its 52-week high vs POWL's 73.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | POWLPowell Industries… | NVTnVent Electric plc |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.95x | 1.68x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $434.00 | $174.50 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $54.75 | $59.57 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +73.8% | +98.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 78.8 | 81.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 686K | 2.3M |
NVT leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
NVT leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates POWL as "Hold" and NVT as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply -22.3% upside for NVT (target: $134) vs -33.3% for POWL (target: $214). For income investors, NVT offers the higher dividend yield at 0.46% vs POWL's 0.11%.
| Metric | POWLPowell Industries… | NVTnVent Electric plc |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $213.67 | $134.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 9 | 17 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.1% | +0.5% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 2 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.35 | $0.79 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.1% | +0.9% |
NVT leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
POWL leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). NVT leads in 3 (Valuation Metrics, Risk & Volatility).
Best OverallPowell Industries, Inc. (POWL)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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POWL vs NVT: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is POWL or NVT a better buy right now?
For growth investors, nVent Electric plc (NVT) is the stronger pick with 29.
5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 9. 1% for Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL). nVent Electric plc (NVT) offers the better valuation at 40. 0x trailing P/E (41. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate nVent Electric plc (NVT) a "Buy" — based on 17 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 — POWL or NVT?
On trailing P/E, nVent Electric plc (NVT) is the cheapest at 40.
0x versus Powell Industries, Inc. at 64. 7x. On forward P/E, nVent Electric plc is actually cheaper at 41. 1x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — POWL or NVT?
Over the past 5 years, Powell Industries, Inc.
(POWL) delivered a total return of +25. 6%, compared to +456. 8% for nVent Electric plc (NVT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: POWL returned +28. 4% versus NVT's +599. 3%. 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 — POWL or NVT?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), nVent Electric plc (NVT) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
68β versus Powell Industries, Inc. 's 1. 95β — meaning POWL is approximately 17% more volatile than NVT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 42% for nVent Electric plc — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — POWL or NVT?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), nVent Electric plc (NVT) is pulling ahead at 29.
5% versus 9. 1% for Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: nVent Electric plc grew EPS 118. 8% year-over-year, compared to 20. 9% for Powell Industries, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, POWL leads at 27. 5% 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 — POWL or NVT?
nVent Electric plc (NVT) is the more profitable company, earning 18.
2% net margin versus 16. 4% for Powell Industries, Inc. — meaning it keeps 18. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: POWL leads at 19. 7% versus 15. 8% for NVT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NVT leads at 37. 7%, 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 POWL or NVT more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, nVent Electric plc (NVT) trades at 41.
1x forward P/E versus 58. 0x for Powell Industries, Inc. — 16. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for NVT: -22. 3% to $134. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — POWL or NVT?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
nVent Electric plc (NVT) offers the highest yield at 0. 5%, versus 0. 1% for Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL).
09Is POWL or NVT better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, nVent Electric plc (NVT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+599.
3% 10Y return). Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL) carries a higher beta of 1. 95 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (NVT: +599. 3%, POWL: +28. 4%), 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 POWL and NVT?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: POWL is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; NVT is a mid-cap high-growth stock. 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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Revenue Growth>
%
(POWL: 6.5% · NVT: 53.5%)Net Margin>
%
(POWL: 16.5% · NVT: 11.4%)P/E Ratio<
x
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