Donaldson (DCI) vs Rockwell Automation (ROK)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 10, 2026.
Summary
Rockwell Automation (ROK) has outperformed Donaldson (DCI) over the past year, gaining 26.2% versus a gain of 6.7%. Over five years, DCI leads with a +47.9% price change compared with +37.7% for ROK. Rockwell Automation is the larger company by market cap ($48.14 billion vs $10.07 billion), about 4.8 times the size, while Donaldson is growing revenue faster (+5.3% vs +0.9%).
On valuation, Donaldson trades at a lower forward P/E (17.9x vs 29.0x for Rockwell Automation). Donaldson offers the higher dividend yield (1.43% vs 1.26%). Donaldson converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 11.7% versus 10.4%.
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 | DCI | ROK |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $86.93 | $432.59 |
| Market cap | $10.07B | $48.14B |
| 1-day change | -0.26% | -0.36% |
| YTD return | -1.95% | +11.19% |
| 1-year return | +6.74% | +26.19% |
| 5-year return | +47.94% | +37.68% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 22.58 | 40.50 |
| Forward P/E | 17.90 | 29.00 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.85 | $10.68 |
| Dividend yield | 1.43% | 1.26% |
| Annual dividend | $1.24 | $5.45 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.89B | $8.34B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +5.28% | +0.94% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $453.80M | $869.00M |
| Gross margin | 34.64% | 48.14% |
| Operating margin | 15.44% | 20.41% |
| Net margin | 11.68% | 10.42% |
| 52-week high | $112.84 | $497.36 |
| 52-week low | $79.61 | $335.17 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -22.96% | -13.02% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +15.50% | +10.29% |
| Average volume | 672.46K | 757.23K |
| Shares outstanding | 115.82M | 111.27M |
| Employees | 15,500 | 26,000 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Pollution Control Equipment | Industrial Machinery/Components |
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
- Rockwell Automation is about 4.8 times larger than Donaldson by market value ($48.14B vs $10.07B).
- ROK has outperformed DCI by 19.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Rockwell Automation trades at a higher earnings multiple (40.5x vs 22.6x trailing P/E).
About Donaldson
DCI stock →Donaldson Company, Inc. manufactures and sells filtration systems and replacement parts worldwide.
Industrials · Pollution Control Equipment · 15,500 employees
About Rockwell Automation
ROK stock →Rockwell Automation, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides industrial automation and digital transformation solutions in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. It operates in three segments: Intelligent Devices, Software & Control, and Lifecycle Services.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 26,000 employees
DCI vs ROK FAQ
Which is bigger, Donaldson or Rockwell Automation?
Rockwell Automation (ROK) is larger, with a market capitalization of $48.14B compared with $10.07B for Donaldson (DCI).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, DCI or ROK?
ROK returned +26.19% over the past 12 months, compared with +6.74% for DCI (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, DCI or ROK?
DCI has the lower trailing P/E at 22.6, versus 40.5 for ROK. 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, Donaldson or Rockwell Automation?
Donaldson has the higher yield at 1.43%, compared with 1.26% for Rockwell Automation.
Are Donaldson and Rockwell Automation in the same industry?
Both are in the Industrials sector, but in different industries: Pollution Control Equipment for Donaldson and Industrial Machinery/Components for Rockwell Automation.