VRT’s 16% Single Month Rise Brings Valuations Into Focus – Is POWL a Better Deal?
Powell Industries (POWL) offers superior revenue growth across key periods, better profitability, and relatively lower valuation vs Vertiv (VRT), suggesting you may be better off investing in POWL
- POWL’s Last 12 Months revenue growth was 27.4%, vs. VRT’s 26.3%.
- In addition, its Last 3-Year Average revenue growth came in at 31.4%, ahead of VRT’s 20.7%.
- POWL’s LTM margin is higher: 19.2% vs. VRT’s 17.4%.
VRT designs, manufactures, and services critical digital infrastructure for data centers and networks, offering lifecycle management, predictive analytics, and professional services under multiple brands. POWL designs and manufactures custom power control substations and electrical systems, offering spare parts, field service, installation, commissioning, repair, and modification services.
Valuation & Performance Overview
| VRT | POWL | Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuation | |||
| P/EBIT Ratio | 33.7 | 14.2 | POWL |
| Revenue Growth | |||
| Last Quarter | 35.1% | 9.2% | VRT |
| Last 12 Months | 26.3% | 27.4% | POWL |
| Last 3 Year Average | 20.7% | 31.4% | POWL |
| Operating Margins | |||
| Last 12 Months | 17.4% | 19.2% | POWL |
| Last 3 Year Average | 14.0% | 12.2% | VRT |
| Momentum | |||
| Last 3 Year Return | 982.4% | 863.7% | POWL |
Note: For “Last 3 Year Return” metric, preferred stock is one with higher returns unless the returns are too high (>300%) which creates risk of sell off.
See more revenue details: VRT Revenue Comparison | POWL Revenue Comparison
See more margin details: VRT Operating Income Comparison | POWL Operating Income Comparison
But do these numbers tell the full story? Read Buy or Sell POWL Stock to see if Powell Industries’s edge holds up under the hood or if Vertiv still has cards to play (see Buy or Sell VRT Stock).
That is one way to look at stocks. Trefis High Quality Portfolio evaluates much more, and is designed to reduce stock-specific risk while giving upside exposure
Historical Market Performance
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | Avg | Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||||
| VRT Return | 69% | 34% | -45% | 252% | 137% | 23% | 1189% | <=== | |
| POWL Return | -38% | 4% | 24% | 156% | 152% | 6% | 434% | ||
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 8% | 93% | ||
| Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||||
| VRT Win Rate | 75% | 67% | 33% | 83% | 75% | 71% | 67% | <=== | |
| POWL Win Rate | 42% | 42% | 58% | 67% | 67% | 71% | 58% | ||
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 57% | 62% | ||
| Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||||
| VRT Max Drawdown | -50% | -3% | -67% | -11% | -5% | -48% | -31% | ||
| POWL Max Drawdown | -68% | -19% | -35% | -2% | -13% | -30% | -28% | ||
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | -12% | <=== | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] 2025 data is for the year till date (YTD)
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
No matter how good the numbers, stock investment is never a smooth ride. There is a risk you must factor in. Read POWL Dip Buyer Analyses and VRT Dip Buyer Analyses to see how these stocks have fallen and recovered in the past.