Tearsheet

Powell Industries (POWL)


Market Price (12/18/2025): $316.59 | Market Cap: $3.8 Bil
Sector: Industrials | Industry: Electrical Components & Equipment

Powell Industries (POWL)


Market Price (12/18/2025): $316.59
Market Cap: $3.8 Bil
Sector: Industrials
Industry: Electrical Components & Equipment

Investment Highlights Why It Matters Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?

1. Generates cash flow

The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.

2. Riding a trend

Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow


0 Attractive yield
Total YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 5.1%
Meaningful short interest
Short Interest % of Basic SharesShort Interest % of Basic Shares = (Short Interest Quantity) / (Basic Shares Outstanding). A high fraction of short interest can indicate potential risk of a short squeeze. is 12%
Valuation getting more expensive
P/S 6M Chg %Price/Sales change over 6 months. Declining P/S indicates valuation has become less expensive. is 76%
1 Attractive cash flow generation
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 15%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 14%
  Key risks
POWL key risks include [1] declining revenue from its core oil & gas and petrochemical markets, Show more.
2 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Sustainable Infrastructure, and Hydrogen Economy. Themes include Smart Grid Technologies, Renewable Energy Equipment, Show more.
  
0 Attractive yield
Total YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 5.1%
1 Attractive cash flow generation
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 15%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 14%
2 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Sustainable Infrastructure, and Hydrogen Economy. Themes include Smart Grid Technologies, Renewable Energy Equipment, Show more.
3 Meaningful short interest
Short Interest % of Basic SharesShort Interest % of Basic Shares = (Short Interest Quantity) / (Basic Shares Outstanding). A high fraction of short interest can indicate potential risk of a short squeeze. is 12%
4 Valuation getting more expensive
P/S 6M Chg %Price/Sales change over 6 months. Declining P/S indicates valuation has become less expensive. is 76%
5 Key risks
POWL key risks include [1] declining revenue from its core oil & gas and petrochemical markets, Show more.

Valuation, Metrics & Events

POWL Stock


Why The Stock Moved


Qualitative Assessment

AI Generated Analysis | Feedback

Here are the key points for Powell Industries (POWL)'s stock movement in the approximate time period from August 31, 2025, to December 18, 2025, explaining why the stock moved by 19.3%: **1. Strong Fiscal 2025 Financial Performance.** Powell Industries announced strong financial results for its fourth quarter and full fiscal year ended September 30, 2025. The company reported record quarterly earnings per share of $4.22, with net income increasing 12% in Q4 and 21% for the full fiscal year. Revenues also saw significant growth, rising 8% in Q4 and 9% for the full fiscal year to $1.1 billion.

**2. Improved Profitability and Operational Efficiency.** The company demonstrated enhanced profitability, with gross profit expanding to 31.4% of revenue in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, representing a 16% increase compared to the prior year. For the full fiscal year, gross profit as a percentage of revenue increased to 29.4%, up 19%, reflecting strong project execution and ongoing efforts to improve factory efficiencies and manage product pricing.

**3. Robust Backlog and Order Intake.** Powell Industries maintained a strong business momentum with its backlog reaching $1.4 billion as of September 30, 2025, marking a 3% increase. The company's new orders for the full fiscal year totaled $1.2 billion, an increase of 9%, indicating continued demand for its custom-engineered solutions.

**4. Strategic Acquisition to Enhance Automation Solutions.** The completion of the acquisition of Remsdaq Ltd., a U.K.-based manufacturer specializing in SCADA Remote Terminal Units for electrical substation control and automation, is a significant strategic move. This acquisition is expected to enhance Powell's automation solutions offering, allowing it to scale a highly competitive and margin-accretive electrical automation solution to meet growing market demand.

**5. Growth in Key Market Sectors.** The company experienced substantial revenue growth in specific market sectors during Q4 fiscal 2025, particularly in Electric Utility, which saw a 100% increase, and Light Rail Traction Power, which grew by 85%. This strong performance in core industrial and utility markets underscores the company's ability to capitalize on growing demand for power infrastructure.

Show more

Stock Movement Drivers

Return vs. Risk


Price Returns Compared

 202020212022202320242025Total [1]
Returns
POWL Return-38%4%24%156%152%51%681%
Peers Return33%44%-17%46%29%19%257%
S&P 500 Return16%27%-19%24%23%14%108%

Monthly Win Rates [3]
POWL Win Rate42%42%58%67%67%75% 
Peers Win Rate58%65%37%62%65%57% 
S&P 500 Win Rate58%75%42%67%75%73% 

Max Drawdowns [4]
POWL Max Drawdown-68%-19%-35%-2%-13%-30% 
Peers Max Drawdown-41%-2%-37%-8%-6%-25% 
S&P 500 Max Drawdown-31%-1%-25%-1%-2%-15% 


[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: ETN, HUBB, AZZ, NVT, GNRC.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/17/2025 (YTD)

How Low Can It Go

Unique KeyEventPOWLS&P 500
2022 Inflation Shock2022 Inflation Shock  
2022 Inflation Shock% Loss% Loss-49.0%-25.4%
2022 Inflation Shock% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven95.9%34.1%
2022 Inflation ShockTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven246 days464 days
2020 Covid Pandemic2020 Covid Pandemic  
2020 Covid Pandemic% Loss% Loss-68.1%-33.9%
2020 Covid Pandemic% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven213.4%51.3%
2020 Covid PandemicTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven1,141 days148 days
2018 Correction2018 Correction  
2018 Correction% Loss% Loss-43.4%-19.8%
2018 Correction% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven76.7%24.7%
2018 CorrectionTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven267 days120 days
2008 Global Financial Crisis2008 Global Financial Crisis  
2008 Global Financial Crisis% Loss% Loss-68.7%-56.8%
2008 Global Financial Crisis% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven219.5%131.3%
2008 Global Financial CrisisTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven1,567 days1,480 days

Compare to WWD, AIGO, SONC, ETN, EMR


In The Past

Powell Industries's stock fell -49.0% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 5/14/2021. A -49.0% loss requires a 95.9% gain to breakeven.

Preserve Wealth

Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth over time.

Asset Allocation

Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.

About Powell Industries (POWL)

Better Bets than Powell Industries (POWL)

Latest Trefis Analyses

Trade Ideas

Select past ideas related to POWL. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.

Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
CNM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025CNMCore & MainDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
16.3%16.3%-1.6%
VRRM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025VRRMVerra MobilityDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
3.2%3.2%-1.2%
LII_11212025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy11212025LIILennox InternationalDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
4.8%4.8%0.0%
ADP_11212025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper11212025ADPAutomatic Data ProcessingMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
5.6%5.6%-1.2%
CW_11212025_Quality_Momentum_RoomToRun_10%11212025CWCurtiss-WrightQualityQ | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and Upside
Buying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run
-0.4%-0.4%-0.4%
POWL_11072025_Quality_Momentum_RoomToRun_10%11072025POWLPowell IndustriesQualityQ | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and Upside
Buying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run
-13.1%-13.1%-22.7%
Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
CNM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025CNMCore & MainDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
16.3%16.3%-1.6%
VRRM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025VRRMVerra MobilityDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
3.2%3.2%-1.2%
LII_11212025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy11212025LIILennox InternationalDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
4.8%4.8%0.0%
ADP_11212025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper11212025ADPAutomatic Data ProcessingMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
5.6%5.6%-1.2%
CW_11212025_Quality_Momentum_RoomToRun_10%11212025CWCurtiss-WrightQualityQ | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and Upside
Buying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run
-0.4%-0.4%-0.4%
POWL_11072025_Quality_Momentum_RoomToRun_10%11072025POWLPowell IndustriesQualityQ | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and Upside
Buying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run
-13.1%-13.1%-22.7%

Recent Active Movers

Recent Active Movers

More From Trefis

Peer Comparisons for Powell Industries

Peers to compare with:

Financials

POWLETNHUBBAZZNVTGNRCMedian
NamePowell I.Eaton Hubbell AZZ nVent El.Generac  
Mkt Price317.31315.82429.68108.3894.99144.82230.32
Mkt Cap3.7122.822.83.315.38.411.9
Rev LTM1,10426,6335,6861,5953,5794,3523,966
Op Inc LTM2185,0491,164237570497533
FCF LTM1553,322850407404424416
FCF 3Y Avg1423,114730241474405440
CFO LTM1684,1041,015504487588546
CFO 3Y Avg1533,881898337543538540

Growth & Margins

POWLETNHUBBAZZNVTGNRCMedian
NamePowell I.Eaton Hubbell AZZ nVent El.Generac  
Rev Chg LTM9.1%8.2%0.8%1.6%21.5%5.5%6.9%
Rev Chg 3Y Avg28.4%9.7%5.7%25.6%9.7%-1.4%9.7%
Rev Chg Q8.3%10.1%4.1%2.0%34.8%-5.0%6.2%
QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM2.1%2.5%1.1%0.5%8.2%-1.3%1.6%
Op Mgn LTM19.7%19.0%20.5%14.9%15.9%11.4%17.4%
Op Mgn 3Y Avg15.4%17.8%19.4%14.5%16.7%10.6%16.1%
QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM0.2%0.1%0.1%-0.0%-0.3%-1.3%0.0%
CFO/Rev LTM15.2%15.4%17.8%31.6%13.6%13.5%15.3%
CFO/Rev 3Y Avg17.3%15.8%16.2%21.6%18.7%12.9%16.8%
FCF/Rev LTM14.0%12.5%15.0%25.5%11.3%9.7%13.2%
FCF/Rev 3Y Avg16.2%12.6%13.2%15.4%16.4%9.7%14.3%

Valuation

POWLETNHUBBAZZNVTGNRCMedian
NamePowell I.Eaton Hubbell AZZ nVent El.Generac  
Mkt Cap3.7122.822.83.315.38.411.9
P/S3.35.54.02.14.42.23.7
P/EBIT-29.019.96.827.521.921.9
P/E20.437.126.410.426.431.426.4
P/CFO21.935.522.56.532.616.622.2
Total Yield5.1%3.0%5.0%9.9%4.2%3.2%4.6%
Dividend Yield0.2%0.3%1.2%0.3%0.4%0.0%0.3%
FCF Yield 3Y Avg-2.7%3.5%11.2%4.2%4.5%4.2%
D/E-0.10.10.20.10.20.1
Net D/E-0.10.10.20.10.10.1

Returns

POWLETNHUBBAZZNVTGNRCMedian
NamePowell I.Eaton Hubbell AZZ nVent El.Generac  
1M Rtn-0.2%-7.9%2.5%9.9%-8.7%3.1%1.2%
3M Rtn9.0%-12.8%-0.5%-4.2%-1.3%-20.1%-2.8%
6M Rtn77.7%-5.2%8.4%21.7%35.4%15.4%18.5%
12M Rtn32.1%-7.8%-0.9%21.5%32.3%-12.3%10.3%
3Y Rtn777.1%113.4%92.5%189.5%166.2%53.0%139.8%
1M Excs Rtn-0.9%-8.6%1.8%9.2%-9.5%2.3%0.4%
3M Excs Rtn3.0%-16.1%-3.4%-8.2%-4.9%-22.7%-6.6%
6M Excs Rtn65.3%-17.5%-3.9%9.3%23.0%3.0%6.2%
12M Excs Rtn15.4%-21.2%-15.1%5.5%16.9%-24.5%-4.8%
3Y Excs Rtn723.8%36.6%7.1%101.8%80.1%-17.6%58.3%

Financials

Segment Financials

Revenue by Segment

$ Mil20252024202320222021
Development, design, manufacturing and servicing of custom-engineered equipment and systems for the1,012699533471518
Total1,012699533471518


Operating Income by Segment
$ Mil20252024202320222021
Development, design, manufacturing and servicing of custom-engineered equipment and systems for the179    
Total179    


Net Income by Segment
$ Mil20252024202320222021
Development, design, manufacturing and servicing of custom-engineered equipment and systems for the150    
Total150    


Price Behavior

Short Interest

Short Interest: As Of Date11282025
Short Interest: Shares Quantity1,420,306
Short Interest: % Change Since 111520255.3%
Average Daily Volume333,259
Days-to-Cover Short Interest4.26
Basic Shares Quantity12,071,000
Short % of Basic Shares11.8%

Earnings Returns History

Expand for More

 Forward Returns
Earnings Date1D Returns5D Returns21D Returns
11/18/2025-11.3%-2.8% 
8/5/2025-3.6%14.4%14.7%
5/6/2025-8.0%2.5%-3.8%
2/6/2025-6.5%-12.5%-35.3%
11/19/2024-16.1%-13.0%-22.0%
7/30/202437.8%22.9%23.8%
4/30/202418.9%10.3%44.3%
12/5/2023-6.0%-0.1%-8.6%
...
SUMMARY STATS   
# Positive101412
# Negative1068
Median Positive16.9%10.7%25.0%
Median Negative-5.2%-4.5%-8.6%
Max Positive39.6%35.4%44.3%
Max Negative-16.1%-13.0%-35.3%

SEC Filings

Expand for More

Report DateFiling DateFiling
93020251119202510-K 9/30/2025
6302025806202510-Q 6/30/2025
3312025507202510-Q 3/31/2025
12312024207202510-Q 12/31/2024
93020241120202410-K 9/30/2024
6302024731202410-Q 6/30/2024
3312024501202410-Q 3/31/2024
12312023131202410-Q 12/31/2023
93020231206202310-K 9/30/2023
6302023802202310-Q 6/30/2023
3312023503202310-Q 3/31/2023
12312022201202310-Q 12/31/2022
93020221206202210-K 9/30/2022
6302022803202210-Q 6/30/2022
3312022504202210-Q 3/31/2022
12312021209202210-Q 12/31/2021

Insider Activity

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 OwnerTitleFiling DateActionPriceSharesTransacted
Value
Value of
Held Shares
Form
0METCALF MICHAEL WILLIAMExec Vice President9242025Sell292.8120058,5628,403,647Form
1MUDGE FREDERICK NVice President, Operations8282025Sell277.506,4001,776,0006,934,170Form
2Birchall JohnManaging Director8272025Sell260.033,000780,0901,742,201Form
3McKertcher Terry BVice President, Operations8122025Sell260.74500130,3702,085,920Form
4COPE BRETT ALANPresident & CEO6182025Sell200.00780156,00031,469,000Form