Vicor (VICR) vs Watsco (WSO)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Vicor (VICR) has outperformed Watsco (WSO) over the past year, gaining 409.4% versus a loss of 28.8%. Over five years, VICR leads with a +77.0% price change compared with -1.1% for WSO. Vicor is the larger company by market cap ($12.09 billion vs $11.64 billion), about 1.0 times the size.
On valuation, Watsco trades at a lower forward P/E (21.2x vs 42.9x for Vicor). Watsco pays a dividend yielding 4.36%, while Vicor does not currently pay one. Vicor converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 26.2% versus 6.9%.
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 | VICR | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $262.32 | $282.23 |
| Market cap | $12.09B | $11.64B |
| 1-day change | -7.24% | -0.15% |
| YTD return | +139.34% | -16.24% |
| 1-year return | +409.36% | -28.81% |
| 5-year return | +76.99% | -1.07% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 83.81 | 24.18 |
| Forward P/E | 42.86 | 21.15 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.13 | $11.67 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 4.36% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $12.30 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $452.70M | $7.24B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +26.08% | -4.98% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $118.56M | $496.99M |
| Gross margin | 57.31% | 28.05% |
| Operating margin | 18.08% | 9.95% |
| Net margin | 26.19% | 6.87% |
| 52-week high | $382.65 | $459.00 |
| 52-week low | $48.53 | $279.04 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -31.45% | -38.51% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +50.10% | +33.19% |
| Average volume | 872.51K | 503.70K |
| Shares outstanding | 34.39M | 35.59M |
| Employees | 1,092 | 6,950 |
| Sector | Technology | Consumer Discretionary |
| 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
- VICR has outperformed WSO by 438.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Vicor trades at a higher earnings multiple (83.8x vs 24.2x trailing P/E).
- Watsco offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.36% vs 0.00%).
- Vicor is more profitable, keeping 26.2 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 6.9 cents for Watsco.
- Vicor grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+26.08% vs -4.98%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Vicor in Technology and Watsco in Consumer Discretionary.
About Vicor
VICR stock →Vicor Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and markets modular power components and power systems for converting electrical power for use in electrically powered devices in the United States, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company offers a range of brick-format DC-DC converters; complementary components that provide AC line rectification, input filtering, power factor correction, and transient protection; and input and output voltage, and output power products, as well as sells electrical and mechanical accessories.
Technology · Industrial Machinery/Components · 1,092 employees
About Watsco
WSO stock →Watsco, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the distribution of air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration equipment, and related parts and supplies in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. It distributes equipment, including residential ducted and ductless air conditioners, such as gas, electric, and oil furnaces; commercial air conditioning and heating equipment systems; and other specialized equipment.
Consumer Discretionary · Industrial Machinery/Components · 6,950 employees
VICR vs WSO FAQ
Which is bigger, Vicor or Watsco?
Vicor (VICR) is larger, with a market capitalization of $12.09B compared with $11.64B for Watsco (WSO).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, VICR or WSO?
VICR returned +409.36% over the past 12 months, compared with -28.81% for WSO (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, VICR or WSO?
WSO has the lower trailing P/E at 24.2, versus 83.8 for VICR. 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, Vicor or Watsco?
Watsco pays a dividend yielding 4.36%, while Vicor does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Vicor and Watsco in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Technology sector.