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Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL)
NASDAQ:POWL

Powell Industries (POWL) AI Stock Analysis

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POWL

Powell Industries

(NASDAQ:POWL)

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Outperform 81 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:81Outperform
Price Target:
$649.00
▲(23.95% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/19/26
The score is driven primarily by exceptional financial strength (rapid growth, high and expanding margins, and near-zero leverage) and supportive earnings-call fundamentals (record backlog and strong bookings). Offsetting this are stretched technical momentum signals (overbought) and a relatively expensive valuation (P/E ~38 with a low dividend yield).
Positive Factors
Scale and Margin Expansion
POWL has materially larger scale and structurally higher margins versus recent years, reflecting operating leverage in project execution and pricing. Sustained revenue near $1.1B and mid-to-high twenties gross margins provide durable earnings power if management sustains project execution and pricing discipline.
Conservative Balance Sheet & Cash
Extremely low leverage and a large cash position give Powell flexibility to fund capex, facility expansion, working capital swings, or opportunistic investments without stress. Strong ROE alongside minimal debt signals durable capital efficiency and low solvency risk over the medium term.
Record Backlog & Diversified Wins
A record $1.6B backlog and outsized quarter of new orders, including large LNG and data‑center awards, enhance revenue visibility and diversify end markets. Secular demand in utilities, LNG and hyperscale data centers supports multi-quarter project pipelines and repeatable aftermarket opportunities.
Negative Factors
Backlog Conversion Risk
While backlog is large, only ~60% is expected to convert in 12 months, creating material timing and revenue visibility risk. Delays or non-conversion can produce lumpy results, unpredictability in cash flow and underutilized capacity, challenging investors' near-term growth expectations.
Skilled Labor & Capacity Constraints
Execution depends on specialized engineers and skilled shop labor; shortages can delay projects, increase subcontracting costs and SG&A, and force capital spend for facility/hiring. Persistent staffing constraints risk slower backlog conversion and pressure on margins over multiple quarters.
Raw Material Input Volatility
Long-cycle, custom projects expose Powell to copper and steel price swings. Hedging is partial, and contract change orders or passthroughs may lag, creating margin volatility. Persistently higher input costs could erode project profitability and require more frequent price adjustments.

Powell Industries (POWL) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Powell Industries Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionPowell Industries, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, sells, and services custom-engineered equipment and systems for the distribution, control, and monitoring of electrical energy. The company's principal products include integrated power control room substations, custom-engineered modules, electrical houses, medium-voltage circuit breakers, monitoring and control communications systems, motor control centers, and bus duct systems, as well as traditional and arc-resistant distribution switchgears and control gears. Its products have application in voltages ranging from 480 volts to 38,000 volts; and are used in oil and gas refining, onshore and offshore oil and gas production, petrochemical, liquid natural gas terminals, pipeline, terminal, mining and metals, light rail traction power, electric utility, pulp and paper, and other heavy industrial markets. It also provides value-added services, such as spare parts, field service inspection, installation, commissioning, modification and repair, retrofit and retrofill components for existing systems, and replacement circuit breakers for switchgear. The company has operations in the United States, Canada, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Mexico, and Central and South America. Powell Industries, Inc. was founded in 1947 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
How the Company Makes MoneyPowell Industries generates revenue through the sale of its electrical equipment, including switchgear and control systems, which are essential for managing electrical power in industrial settings. The company's revenue model is primarily based on project-based contracts, where they provide engineering, procurement, and construction services to clients in their target sectors. Key revenue streams include the sale of custom-built electrical distribution systems, ongoing maintenance and support services, and aftermarket parts. Strategic partnerships with major industrial players and collaborations with engineering firms enhance their market reach and contribute to revenue growth. Additionally, as industries increasingly focus on safety and efficiency, Powell Industries benefits from increased demand for its high-quality, reliable electrical solutions.

Powell Industries Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 03, 2026
(Q1-2026)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 05, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call communicated strong commercial momentum and financial performance: revenue and orders grew, gross margin expanded substantially, net income and EPS improved, backlog reached a record $1.6B with a 1.7x book-to-bill, and the balance sheet remains strong with $501M cash and no debt. Management is actively investing in capacity (Jacintoport expansion, leased facilities) and pursuing data center and LNG opportunities, including recent mega orders. Key risks discussed include seasonal sequential softness, a notable decline in petrochemical revenue, SG&A increases, skilled labor and engineering constraints, raw material volatility, and backlog conversion/timing risk (only ~60% of backlog expected to convert in 12 months). Overall the positives (strong bookings, margin expansion, record backlog, solid cash position) outweigh the challenges, though execution of capacity expansion and skilled labor hiring will be important to sustain momentum.
Q1-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Revenue Growth
Net revenue of $251.0M in Q1 FY2026, up 4% versus $241.0M in Q1 FY2025.
Strong Margin Expansion
Gross profit rose to $71.0M (up $12M, ~20% increase) and gross margin expanded 380 basis points year-over-year to 28.4%; trailing 12‑month margins ~30%.
Earnings and EPS Improvement
Net income of $41.4M and diluted EPS of $3.40, up 19% versus prior-year net income of $34.8M and EPS $2.86.
Record New Orders and Mega Wins
New orders of $439M in the quarter, up 63% year-over-year; included two 'mega' awards: an LNG contract >$100M and a data center mega order ~ $75M; data center orders totaled >$100M in the quarter.
Healthy Book-to-Bill and Backlog
Book-to-bill of 1.7x and record backlog of $1.6B (highest in company history), up $219M year-over-year and $191M sequentially; backlog composition: oil & gas ~30%, utilities ~30%, commercial & other industrial 22% (data centers ~15%).
Strong Balance Sheet and Cash Generation
Cash and short-term investments of $501M (up from $476M at 9/30/25), no debt; operating cash flow of $43.6M in Q1; capital expenditures of $2M focused on capacity/productivity.
International and Utility Revenue Strength
International revenue up 29% (+$13M) to $44M; utility sector revenue increased 35% year-over-year, oil & gas revenue up 2%.
Capacity Investments Underway
Jacintoport facility expansion progressing on schedule to complete in H2 FY2026; added a 50,000 sq ft leased facility to support production and inventory; management evaluating additional capacity investments to support growth.
Commercial Momentum in Data Centers
Commercial & other industrial market accounted for nearly half of orders in the quarter; data center portion of backlog at record levels (~15%), with increasing customer engagement and initial U.S. wins for acquired Remsdaq technology.
Negative Updates
Sequential Seasonal Softness
Gross profit was lower sequentially by ~300 basis points due to expected seasonal softness in Q1 (holiday period); Q1 historically the softest quarter.
Petrochemical Revenue Decline
Petrochemical revenues fell 31% year-over-year, largely driven by completion of a large FY2023 project and softer activity in that market.
Commercial & Other Industrial Revenue Timing
Commercial and other industrial revenue was down 8% year-over-year on project timing, despite strong order intake in the segment.
Rising SG&A
Selling, general & administrative expenses rose to $25.2M (an increase of $3.7M year-over-year); SG&A as a percentage of revenue increased ~110 basis points to 10%.
Skilled Labor and Capacity Constraints
Management flagged shortages of skilled labor and engineering resources as a constraint as backlog and new market activity ramp; additional hiring/training and facility investments will be required.
Raw Material Volatility and Input Risk
Volatile metals markets (copper, steel) present margin risk; the company hedges some copper but notes input-price exposure and manages via pricing models and change orders.
Backlog Conversion and Timing Risk
While backlog is $1.6B, only ~60% (~$933M) is expected to convert in the next 12 months, creating timing/visibility risk on near-term revenue conversion despite a high book-to-bill.
Potential Future Capital Deployment
Management is evaluating larger capital commitments (discussed up to a ~$100M facility) to expand capacity; this would draw on cash and requires Board approval and execution risk.
Customer Reservation/Cancellation Risk
Management acknowledged the potential for customers to 'reserve' capacity and the risk that some bookings may be reservations rather than fully firm contracts; the team is monitoring cancellations and durability of backlog.
Company Guidance
Powell guided toward a strong fiscal 2026, expecting to sustain revenue and earnings growth and maintain base gross margins in the upper‑20s while pursuing incremental upside from project closeouts; Q1 metrics that support that view included revenue of $251M (+4% YoY), new orders of $439M (+63% YoY) including two mega orders (one >$100M LNG and a ~ $75M single data center), a book‑to‑bill of 1.7x and a record backlog of $1.6B (14% sequential, +$219M YoY) that is ~30% oil & gas, ~30% utility and 22% commercial/other (data centers ~15%), with ~60% (~$933M) of backlog convertible in the next 12 months and a trailing quarterly revenue cadence of ~$65–70M; Q1 profitability and liquidity metrics were gross profit $71M, gross margin 28.4% (+380 bps YoY, ~300 bps of the improvement from project closeouts), trailing 12‑month margins around 30% (with ~175 bps closeout gains), net income $41.4M ($3.40 diluted EPS, +19% YoY), operating cash flow $43.6M, cash/short‑term investments $501M (no debt), CapEx $2M this quarter, while management is adding leased capacity (50,000 sq ft) and evaluating ~ $100M of potential facility investment and expects the Jacintoport expansion to be completed in H2 FY26.

Powell Industries Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Very strong operating performance with rapid revenue growth (TTM ~$1.11B, +88.3%) and materially higher profitability (TTM gross ~30.2%, operating ~20.6%, net ~16.8%). Balance sheet is exceptionally conservative with minimal debt (~$1–2M) versus equity (~$669M) and strong ROE (~30.6%). Cash flow is solid (TTM FCF ~$161.5M; ~92.6% of net income) but has been somewhat volatile and operating cash flow has lagged EBIT, suggesting working-capital timing swings.
Income Statement
92
Very Positive
POWL shows a sharp step-up in profitability and scale. TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) revenue reached ~$1.11B with very strong growth (88.3%), while margins expanded materially versus prior years: gross margin ~30.2%, operating margin ~20.6%, and net margin ~16.8%. Annual results also show clear multi-year momentum (revenue from ~$533M in 2022 to ~$1.10B in 2025) alongside rising profitability, indicating strong operating leverage. Key watch-out: the most recent growth rate is exceptionally high and may normalize, so sustaining these elevated margins and growth will be important.
Balance Sheet
95
Very Positive
The balance sheet is exceptionally conservative with minimal leverage: total debt is ~+$1–2M against ~$669M of equity in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months), implying extremely low balance-sheet risk. Equity has increased substantially over time (from ~$297M in 2022 to ~$641M in 2025), and returns on equity are strong (TTM ~30.6%), signaling high profitability without relying on debt. The main limitation is that the data provided does not include liquidity working-capital details, but based on leverage and returns alone the financial position looks very strong.
Cash Flow
84
Very Positive
Cash generation is solid and aligns reasonably well with earnings: TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) operating cash flow is ~$174.5M and free cash flow is ~$161.5M, with free cash flow running at ~92.6% of net income—generally a healthy conversion rate. Cash flow performance has improved meaningfully from 2021–2022 (when operating and free cash flow were negative), but it has been more volatile year-to-year (e.g., 2023 unusually strong, 2024 lower, then 2025 higher again). One cautionary signal is that operating cash flow is less than half of EBIT in recent periods, which can indicate working-capital investment/cash timing effects that may continue to fluctuate.
BreakdownTTMSep 2025Sep 2024Sep 2023Sep 2022Sep 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.11B1.10B1.01B699.31M532.58M470.56M
Gross Profit336.27M324.38M273.09M147.55M85.02M75.06M
EBITDA236.98M240.81M185.64M71.13M16.58M11.35M
Net Income187.37M180.75M149.85M54.52M13.74M631.00K
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.09B1.11B928.18M752.24M493.38M436.19M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments500.84M475.53M358.39M279.01M116.51M133.98M
Total Debt1.46M1.66M1.22M1.44M2.32M4.23M
Total Liabilities425.48M468.21M445.11M407.22M196.17M134.97M
Stockholders Equity668.89M640.77M483.07M345.03M297.21M301.22M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow161.51M154.79M96.68M174.73M-6.03M-33.35M
Operating Cash Flow174.50M167.94M108.66M182.55M-3.58M-30.46M
Investing Cash Flow14.08M-8.34M-21.87M-26.57M6.46M-2.46M
Financing Cash Flow-27.21M-25.12M-19.25M-13.06M-13.31M-13.17M

Powell Industries Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price523.60
Price Trends
50DMA
441.01
Positive
100DMA
390.18
Positive
200DMA
311.31
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
27.81
Positive
RSI
53.91
Neutral
STOCH
23.81
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For POWL, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 523.6 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 539.07, above the 50-day MA of 441.01, and above the 200-day MA of 311.31, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 27.81 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 53.91 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 23.81 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for POWL.

Powell Industries Risk Analysis

Powell Industries disclosed 13 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Powell Industries reported the most risks in the "Legal & Regulatory" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Powell Industries Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
81
Outperform
$6.36B34.0132.16%0.32%9.08%19.86%
77
Outperform
$6.12B20.5716.74%0.67%6.17%20.86%
77
Outperform
$19.14B45.4712.30%0.84%5.31%5.76%
69
Neutral
$1.24B33.618.33%0.35%15.93%12.72%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
56
Neutral
$1.67B-1.63-55.98%-394.37%
55
Neutral
$2.18B-46.52-3.23%2.02%-10.98%-103.99%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
POWL
Powell Industries
523.60
368.10
236.72%
ENS
EnerSys
166.15
68.29
69.78%
PLPC
Preformed Line Products Company
253.65
129.33
104.02%
ATKR
Atkore International Group
64.71
7.02
12.16%
NVT
nVent Electric
118.36
62.58
112.19%
TE
T1 Energy
6.16
4.80
352.94%

Powell Industries Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Powell Industries Shareholders Back Board, Executive Pay Plan
Positive
Feb 18, 2026

At its annual meeting of stockholders on February 18, 2026, Powell Industries shareholders re-elected directors Alaina K. Brooks and Katheryn B. Curtis to terms running through fiscal 2029 and approved, on an advisory basis, the company’s executive compensation program. The voting results showed strong support for both the board nominees and the say-on-pay proposal, and on the same date the board appointed Mark W. Smith as chair of the audit committee, succeeding Christopher E. Cragg and signaling continuity in the company’s governance and oversight framework.

The most recent analyst rating on (POWL) stock is a Buy with a $675.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Powell Industries stock, see the POWL Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyDividendsFinancial Disclosures
Powell Industries posts strong Q1 results, boosts backlog
Positive
Feb 3, 2026

On February 3, 2026, Powell Industries reported first-quarter fiscal 2026 results for the period ended December 31, 2025, posting revenues of $251.2 million, up 4% year on year, gross profit of $71.4 million or 28.4% of revenue, and net income of $41.4 million, or $3.40 per diluted share, up 19% from the prior-year quarter. New orders surged 63% to $439 million, driving backlog to $1.6 billion, with particularly strong momentum in the Commercial & Other Industrial segment, including the company’s first data center megaproject and a major LNG project on the U.S. Gulf Coast, while a cash and short-term investment balance of $501 million and no debt underscore a strong balance sheet that management says positions Powell to sustain solid margins and capitalize on growing demand for electrical infrastructure across utilities, LNG and data centers; the board also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share, payable March 18, 2026 to shareholders of record as of February 18, 2026.

The most recent analyst rating on (POWL) stock is a Buy with a $490.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Powell Industries stock, see the POWL Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Powell Industries Enhances Executive Incentive Plan and Metrics
Positive
Jan 6, 2026

On January 2 and 3, 2026, Powell Industries’ board-level Compensation and Human Capital Committee approved supplemental restricted stock unit awards for CEO Brett A. Cope and CFO Michael W. Metcalf, augmenting their October 1, 2025 grants as part of a revised fiscal 2026 long‑term incentive program. The committee shifted to setting award size by fixed dollar targets rather than as a multiple of base salary, raising Cope’s target to $2.2 million and Metcalf’s to $600,000, and rebalanced Cope’s mix toward 60% performance-based and 40% time-based units, while keeping Metcalf’s at an even split. Although vesting terms largely mirror prior grants, the performance-based units now incorporate a three-year revenue compound annual growth rate metric alongside existing EBITDA and safety goals, signaling a stronger emphasis on growth and performance alignment in executive pay, with implications for how leadership incentives are tied to the company’s long-term financial and operational outcomes.

The most recent analyst rating on (POWL) stock is a Buy with a $387.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Powell Industries stock, see the POWL Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Feb 19, 2026