Pentair (PNR) vs Xylem (XYL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Xylem (XYL) has outperformed Pentair (PNR) over the past year, losing 31.2% versus a loss of 52.2%. Over five years, XYL leads with a -18.2% price change compared with -27.0% for PNR. Xylem is the larger company by market cap ($23.98 billion vs $8.37 billion), about 2.9 times the size.
On valuation, Pentair trades at a lower forward P/E (10.1x vs 16.5x for Xylem). Pentair offers the higher dividend yield (1.98% vs 1.62%). Pentair converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 15.7% versus 10.6%.
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 | PNR | XYL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $52.47 | $102.71 |
| Market cap | $8.37B | $23.98B |
| 1-day change | +0.33% | +0.71% |
| YTD return | -49.62% | -25.11% |
| 1-year return | -52.23% | -31.18% |
| 5-year return | -27.00% | -18.21% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 13.52 | 24.45 |
| Forward P/E | 10.05 | 16.50 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.88 | $4.20 |
| Dividend yield | 1.98% | 1.62% |
| Annual dividend | $1.04 | $1.66 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.18B | $9.04B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.28% | +5.52% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $653.80M | $957.00M |
| Gross margin | 40.48% | 38.46% |
| Operating margin | 20.53% | 13.54% |
| Net margin | 15.66% | 10.59% |
| 52-week high | $112.13 | $154.27 |
| 52-week low | $51.13 | $98.58 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -53.21% | -33.42% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +45.23% | +47.32% |
| Average volume | 3.39M | 2.21M |
| Shares outstanding | 159.60M | 233.49M |
| Employees | 9,000 | 22,000 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Industrial Machinery/Components | Fluid Controls |
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
- Xylem is about 2.9 times larger than Pentair by market value ($23.98B vs $8.37B).
- XYL has outperformed PNR by 21.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Xylem trades at a higher earnings multiple (24.5x vs 13.5x trailing P/E).
- Pentair is more profitable, keeping 15.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 10.6 cents for Xylem.
About Pentair
PNR stock →Pentair plc provides various water solutions in the United States, Western Europe, China, Latin America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Australia, and Canada. It operates through three segments: Flow, Water Solutions, and Pool.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 9,000 employees
About Xylem
XYL stock →Xylem Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, and servicing of engineered products and solutions for utility, industrial, and residential and commercial building services settings worldwide. It operates through Water Infrastructure; Applied Water; Measurement and Control Solutions; and Water Solutions and Services segments.
Industrials · Fluid Controls · 22,000 employees
PNR vs XYL FAQ
Which is bigger, Pentair or Xylem?
Xylem (XYL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $23.98B compared with $8.37B for Pentair (PNR).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, PNR or XYL?
XYL returned -31.18% over the past 12 months, compared with -52.23% for PNR (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, PNR or XYL?
PNR has the lower trailing P/E at 13.5, versus 24.5 for XYL. 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, Pentair or Xylem?
Pentair has the higher yield at 1.98%, compared with 1.62% for Xylem.
Are Pentair and Xylem in the same industry?
Both are in the Industrials sector, but in different industries: Industrial Machinery/Components for Pentair and Fluid Controls for Xylem.