WMS
Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.
Construction
Market Cap$12.64B
5Y Perf.+235.4%
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Stock Comparison
WMS vs PNR
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
PNR
Pentair plc
Industrial - Machinery
Market Cap$12.92B
5Y Perf.+104.3%
WMS vs PNR — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | WMS | PNR |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Construction | Industrial - Machinery |
| Market Cap | $12.64B | $12.92B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $2.99B | $4.20B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $471M | $671M |
| Gross Margin | 38.2% | 40.9% |
| Operating Margin | 22.8% | 20.6% |
| Forward P/E | 24.5x | 14.9x |
| Total Debt | $1.45B | $1.64B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $463M | $102M |
WMS vs PNR — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
WMS
PNR
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Drainage S… (WMS) | 100 | 335.4 | +235.4% |
| Pentair plc (PNR) | 100 | 204.3 | +104.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: WMS vs PNR
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: PNR leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for recent price momentum and sentiment and operational efficiency and capital deployment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
WMS
Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.
The Long-Run Compounder
WMS is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 5.7% 10Y total return vs PNR's 127.0%
- +32.4% vs PNR's -11.5%
- 11.4% ROA vs PNR's 9.9%, ROIC 20.7% vs 12.1%
Best for: long-term compounding
PNR
Pentair plc
The Income Pick
PNR carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 6 yrs, beta 1.22, yield 1.2%
- Rev growth 2.3%, EPS growth 5.9%, 3Y rev CAGR 0.4%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.22, Low D/E 42.3%, current ratio 1.61x
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | PNR | 2.3% revenue growth vs WMS's 1.0% |
| Value | PNR | Lower P/E (14.9x vs 24.5x) |
| Quality / Margins | PNR | 16.0% margin vs WMS's 15.7% |
| Stability / Safety | PNR | Beta 1.22 vs WMS's 1.32, lower leverage |
| Dividends | PNR | 1.2% yield, 6-year raise streak, vs WMS's 0.4% |
| Momentum (1Y) | WMS | +32.4% vs PNR's -11.5% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | WMS | 11.4% ROA vs PNR's 9.9%, ROIC 20.7% vs 12.1% |
WMS vs PNR — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
WMS vs PNR — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLWMSLAGGINGPNR
PNRPentair plc
2leads
WMSAdvanced Drainage Sys…
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs PNRMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
PNR6/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
WMS6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
WMS6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
PNR2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — WMS and PNR each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PNR and WMS operate at a comparable scale, with $4.2B and $3.0B in trailing revenue. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 16.0% (PNR) to 15.7% (WMS).
| Metric | WMSAdvanced Drainage… | PNRPentair plc |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $3.0B | $4.2B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $869M | $983M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $471M | $671M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $577M | $716M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +38.2% | +40.9% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +22.8% | +20.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +15.7% | +16.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +19.3% | +17.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +0.4% | +2.6% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +14.4% | +12.9% |
Evenly matched — WMS and PNR each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
PNR leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 20.2x trailing earnings, PNR trades at a 22% valuation discount to WMS's 25.8x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, PNR's 14.8x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than WMS's 16.2x.
| Metric | WMSAdvanced Drainage… | PNRPentair plc |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $12.6B | $12.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $13.6B | $14.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 25.82x | 20.19x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 24.47x | 14.94x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.54x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 16.20x | 14.83x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 4.35x | 3.09x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 7.11x | 3.42x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 34.30x | 17.32x |
PNR leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
WMS leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
WMS delivers a 23.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $23 in annual profit, vs $18 for PNR. PNR carries lower financial leverage with a 0.42x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to WMS's 0.88x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), PNR scores 8/9 vs WMS's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | WMSAdvanced Drainage… | PNRPentair plc |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +23.2% | +17.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +11.4% | +9.9% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +20.7% | +12.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +21.5% | +15.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 8 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.88x | 0.42x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $982M | $1.5B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $463M | $102M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $1.4B | $1.6B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 7.75x | 11.94x |
WMS leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
WMS leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in WMS five years ago would be worth $13,917 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $12,563 for PNR. Over the past 12 months, WMS leads with a +32.4% total return vs PNR's -11.5%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors WMS at 20.0% vs PNR's 12.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | WMSAdvanced Drainage… | PNRPentair plc |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -0.5% | -23.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +32.4% | -11.5% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +73.0% | +41.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +39.2% | +25.6% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +567.5% | +127.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +20.0% | +12.3% |
WMS leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — WMS and PNR each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
PNR is the less volatile stock with a 1.22 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than WMS's 1.32 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. WMS currently trades 82.9% from its 52-week high vs PNR's 70.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | WMSAdvanced Drainage… | PNRPentair plc |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.32x | 1.22x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $179.31 | $113.95 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $104.69 | $77.02 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +82.9% | +70.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 43.6 | 28.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 865K | 1.6M |
Evenly matched — WMS and PNR each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
PNR leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates WMS as "Hold" and PNR as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 42.0% upside for PNR (target: $114) vs 36.3% for WMS (target: $203). For income investors, PNR offers the higher dividend yield at 1.24% vs WMS's 0.43%.
| Metric | WMSAdvanced Drainage… | PNRPentair plc |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $202.67 | $113.56 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 22 | 41 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.4% | +1.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 2 | 6 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.64 | $0.99 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.6% | +1.7% |
PNR leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
PNR leads in 2 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Analyst Outlook). WMS leads in 2 (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). 2 tied.
Best OverallAdvanced Drainage Systems, … (WMS)Leads 2 of 6 categories
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WMS vs PNR: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is WMS or PNR a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Pentair plc (PNR) is the stronger pick with 2.
3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 1. 0% for Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (WMS). 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 Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (WMS) a "Hold" — based on 22 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 — WMS or PNR?
On trailing P/E, Pentair plc (PNR) is the cheapest at 20.
2x versus Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. at 25. 8x. On forward P/E, Pentair plc is actually cheaper at 14. 9x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — WMS or PNR?
Over the past 5 years, Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.
(WMS) delivered a total return of +39. 2%, compared to +25. 6% for Pentair plc (PNR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: WMS returned +567. 5% 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.
04Which is safer — WMS or PNR?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Pentair plc (PNR) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
22β versus Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. 's 1. 32β — meaning WMS is approximately 8% more volatile than PNR relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Pentair plc (PNR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 42% versus 88% for Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — WMS or PNR?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Pentair plc (PNR) is pulling ahead at 2.
3% versus 1. 0% for Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (WMS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Pentair plc grew EPS 5. 9% year-over-year, compared to -10. 7% for Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, WMS leads at 1. 6% 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 — WMS or PNR?
Pentair plc (PNR) is the more profitable company, earning 15.
7% net margin versus 15. 5% for Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. — meaning it keeps 15. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: WMS leads at 22. 6% 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.
07Is WMS or PNR more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Pentair plc (PNR) trades at 14.
9x forward P/E versus 24. 5x for Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. — 9. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for PNR: 42. 0% to $113. 56.
08Which pays a better dividend — WMS or PNR?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Pentair plc (PNR) offers the highest yield at 1. 2%, versus 0. 4% for Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (WMS).
09Is WMS or PNR better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Pentair plc (PNR) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.
22), 1. 2% yield, +127. 0% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (PNR: +127. 0%, WMS: +567. 5%), 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 WMS and PNR?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
PNR pays a dividend while WMS 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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Revenue Growth>
%
(WMS: 0.4% · PNR: 2.6%)Net Margin>
%
(WMS: 15.7% · PNR: 16.0%)P/E Ratio<
x
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