A.O. Smith (AOS) vs Generac Holdlings (GNRC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 11, 2026.
Summary
Generac Holdlings (GNRC) has outperformed A.O. Smith (AOS) over the past year, gaining 32.3% versus a loss of 16.8%. Over five years, AOS leads with a -14.2% price change compared with -50.2% for GNRC. Generac Holdlings is the larger company by market cap ($13.29 billion vs $7.66 billion), about 1.7 times the size, while A.O. Smith is growing revenue faster (+0.3% vs -2.0%).
On valuation, A.O. Smith trades at a lower forward P/E (13.8x vs 17.3x for Generac Holdlings). A.O. Smith pays a dividend yielding 2.52%, while Generac Holdlings does not currently pay one. A.O. Smith converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 14.3% versus 3.8%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | AOS | GNRC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $56.38 | $224.94 |
| Market cap | $7.66B | $13.29B |
| 1-day change | -0.32% | +0.24% |
| YTD return | -15.70% | +64.95% |
| 1-year return | -16.78% | +32.26% |
| 5-year return | -14.19% | -50.23% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 15.70 | 51.71 |
| Forward P/E | 13.80 | 17.34 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.59 | $4.35 |
| Dividend yield | 2.52% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $1.42 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.83B | $4.21B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +0.32% | -2.02% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $546.20M | $159.55M |
| Gross margin | 38.83% | 38.29% |
| Operating margin | 19.02% | 6.87% |
| Net margin | 14.26% | 3.79% |
| 52-week high | $81.87 | $296.44 |
| 52-week low | $54.16 | $134.80 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -31.13% | -24.12% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +24.00% | +27.94% |
| Average volume | 1.54M | 1.22M |
| Shares outstanding | 110.05M | 59.06M |
| Employees | 11,500 | 9,400 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Consumer Electronics/Appliances | Metal Fabrications |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- GNRC has outperformed AOS by 49.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Generac Holdlings trades at a higher earnings multiple (51.7x vs 15.7x trailing P/E).
- A.O. Smith offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.52% vs 0.00%).
- A.O. Smith is more profitable, keeping 14.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 3.8 cents for Generac Holdlings.
About A.O. Smith
AOS stock →A. O.
Consumer Discretionary · Consumer Electronics/Appliances · 11,500 employees
About Generac Holdlings
GNRC stock →Generac Holdings Inc. designs, manufactures, and distributes energy technology products and solutions worldwide.
Consumer Discretionary · Metal Fabrications · 9,400 employees
AOS vs GNRC FAQ
Which is bigger, A.O. Smith or Generac Holdlings?
Generac Holdlings (GNRC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $13.29B compared with $7.66B for A.O. Smith (AOS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AOS or GNRC?
GNRC returned +32.26% over the past 12 months, compared with -16.78% for AOS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AOS or GNRC?
AOS has the lower trailing P/E at 15.7, versus 51.7 for GNRC. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, A.O. Smith or Generac Holdlings?
A.O. Smith pays a dividend yielding 2.52%, while Generac Holdlings does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are A.O. Smith and Generac Holdlings in the same industry?
Both are in the Consumer Discretionary sector, but in different industries: Consumer Electronics/Appliances for A.O. Smith and Metal Fabrications for Generac Holdlings.