Pentair (PNR) vs Zurn Elkay Water Solutions (ZWS)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Zurn Elkay Water Solutions (ZWS) has outperformed Pentair (PNR) over the past year, losing 2.3% versus a loss of 52.2%. Over five years, ZWS leads with a +29.6% price change compared with -27.0% for PNR. Pentair is the larger company by market cap ($8.37 billion vs $7.72 billion), about 1.1 times the size, while Zurn Elkay Water Solutions is growing revenue faster (+8.3% vs +2.3%).
On valuation, Pentair trades at a lower forward P/E (10.1x vs 22.9x for Zurn Elkay Water Solutions). Pentair offers the higher dividend yield (1.98% vs 0.90%). Pentair converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 15.7% versus 11.7%.
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 | ZWS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $52.47 | $46.57 |
| Market cap | $8.37B | $7.72B |
| 1-day change | +0.33% | +0.71% |
| YTD return | -49.62% | -0.54% |
| 1-year return | -52.23% | -2.30% |
| 5-year return | -27.00% | +29.60% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 13.52 | 28.93 |
| Forward P/E | 10.05 | 22.88 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.88 | $1.61 |
| Dividend yield | 1.98% | 0.90% |
| Annual dividend | $1.04 | $0.42 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.18B | $1.70B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.28% | +8.26% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $653.80M | $198.00M |
| Gross margin | 40.48% | 45.10% |
| Operating margin | 20.53% | 16.45% |
| Net margin | 15.66% | 11.68% |
| 52-week high | $112.13 | $55.00 |
| 52-week low | $51.13 | $43.06 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -53.21% | -15.33% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +45.23% | +24.54% |
| Average volume | 3.39M | 903.92K |
| Shares outstanding | 159.60M | 165.86M |
| Employees | 9,000 | 2,600 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Industrial Machinery/Components | 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
- ZWS has outperformed PNR by 49.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Zurn Elkay Water Solutions trades at a higher earnings multiple (28.9x vs 13.5x trailing P/E).
- Pentair offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.98% vs 0.90%).
- Zurn Elkay Water Solutions grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+8.26% vs +2.28%).
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 Zurn Elkay Water Solutions
ZWS stock →Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation engages in design, procurement, manufacture, and marketing of water management solutions in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It offers water dispensing and filtration products, such as filtered bottle filling stations, water fountains and water dispensers, and filtered faucets under the Elkay and Halsey Taylor brand names; filtered units including water filters; and water safety and control products, such as backflow preventers, fire system valves, pressure reducing valves, and thermostatic mixing valves under the Zurn and Wilkins brand names.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 2,600 employees
PNR vs ZWS FAQ
Which is bigger, Pentair or Zurn Elkay Water Solutions?
Pentair (PNR) is larger, with a market capitalization of $8.37B compared with $7.72B for Zurn Elkay Water Solutions (ZWS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, PNR or ZWS?
ZWS returned -2.30% 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 ZWS?
PNR has the lower trailing P/E at 13.5, versus 28.9 for ZWS. 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 Zurn Elkay Water Solutions?
Pentair has the higher yield at 1.98%, compared with 0.90% for Zurn Elkay Water Solutions.
Are Pentair and Zurn Elkay Water Solutions in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Industrials sector.