Plexus (PLXS) vs Powell Industries (POWL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Powell Industries (POWL) has outperformed Plexus (PLXS) over the past year, gaining 80.0% versus a gain of 77.5%. Over five years, POWL leads with a +2021.9% price change compared with +179.6% for PLXS. Powell Industries is the larger company by market cap ($7.06 billion vs $7.04 billion), about 1.0 times the size.
On valuation, Plexus trades at a lower forward P/E (26.1x vs 27.7x for Powell Industries). Powell Industries pays a dividend yielding 0.18%, while Plexus does not currently pay one. Powell Industries converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 16.4% versus 4.3%.
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 | PLXS | POWL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $264.04 | $193.75 |
| Market cap | $7.04B | $7.06B |
| 1-day change | +1.02% | +2.37% |
| YTD return | +77.81% | +78.12% |
| 1-year return | +77.47% | +80.03% |
| 5-year return | +179.64% | +2021.86% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 39.00 | 37.12 |
| Forward P/E | 26.09 | 27.72 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.77 | $5.22 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.18% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.358 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.03B | $1.10B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.82% | +9.08% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $172.88M | $180.75M |
| Gross margin | 10.08% | 29.37% |
| Operating margin | 5.02% | 19.73% |
| Net margin | 4.29% | 16.37% |
| 52-week high | $307.06 | $328.00 |
| 52-week low | $132.03 | $92.59 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.01% | -40.93% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +15.36% | +44.52% |
| Average volume | 255.29K | 635.97K |
| Shares outstanding | 26.65M | 36.43M |
| Employees | 20,000 | 3,143 |
| Sector | Technology | Energy |
| Industry | Electrical Products | Electrical Products |
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
- Powell Industries is more profitable, keeping 16.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 4.3 cents for Plexus.
- Powell Industries grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+9.08% vs +1.82%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Plexus in Technology and Powell Industries in Energy.
About Plexus
PLXS stock →Plexus Corp. provides electronic manufacturing services in the United States, the Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Technology · Electrical Products · 20,000 employees
About Powell Industries
POWL stock →Powell Industries, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, sells, and services custom-engineered equipment and systems. The company's products portfolio includes integrated power control room substations, custom-engineered modules, and electrical houses; and traditional and arc-resistant distribution switchgears and control gears, medium-voltage circuit breakers, monitoring and control communications systems, motor control centers, switches, and bus duct systems.
Energy · Electrical Products · 3,143 employees
PLXS vs POWL FAQ
Which is bigger, Plexus or Powell Industries?
Powell Industries (POWL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $7.06B compared with $7.04B for Plexus (PLXS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, PLXS or POWL?
POWL returned +80.03% over the past 12 months, compared with +77.47% for PLXS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, PLXS or POWL?
POWL has the lower trailing P/E at 37.1, versus 39.0 for PLXS. 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, Plexus or Powell Industries?
Powell Industries pays a dividend yielding 0.18%, while Plexus does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Plexus and Powell Industries in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Electrical Products industry within the Technology sector.