Quality Momentum

QM · rank #6 · 2026-07-21

POWL

NASDAQ · $8.59B (USD)

SignalStrong Buy5.7strength 5.7 / 10
verdict · PROCEED

The exact numbers the algorithm saw.

Factor scores and the inputs behind this pick.
Momentum 12-1
Return from 12 months ago to 1 month ago.
+409.65%
ROE TTM
Return on equity, trailing 12 months.
+29.9%
Profit margin
Net profit margin, trailing 12 months.
+16.5%
Market cap (USD)
Size filter: > $500M required.
$8.59B
Anchor (recent)
Close on 2026-06-18
$297.20
Anchor (far)
Close on 2025-06-20
$58.32

The AI research card

Independent qualitative review of each pick before the order is placed. On the rare day the research service is unavailable, the paper book trades on the quant ranking alone and no card appears here.

Summary

Powell Industries engineers custom medium-voltage switchgear and integrated power-control rooms for LNG, petrochemical, and AI data-center customers, operating with no debt and ~$545M cash against a record ~$1.8B backlog.

Rationale

The quality_momentum signal is reinforced by a 30% ROE, 16.5% profit margins, and a ~97% YoY surge in new orders anchored by a $400M data-center award that provides multi-quarter revenue visibility underpinning the momentum leg.

Material risks

  • 1Backlog concentration in two cyclical end markets (LNG export terminals and hyperscaler data centers) means a single large cancellation or policy-driven LNG permitting freeze could materially impair the revenue visibility that justifies the current valuation multiple.
  • 2Q2 FY2026 EPS of $1.25 missed consensus of ~$1.34 and came in below the prior-year $1.27 despite 6% revenue growth, signaling that SG&A (+19%) and R&D (+56%) cost ramp is already compressing near-term earnings conversion and could widen if project shipments slip.

AI verdict council

Each pick is reviewed independently by 3 models before any order. 2 of 3 voted to proceed.

OpenAI
Proceed
Claude
Proceed
Gemini
Error