Quality Momentum

QM · rank #6 · 2026-07-22

POWL

NASDAQ · $8.59B (USD)

SignalStrong Buy7.2strength 7.2 / 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.
+427.82%
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 2026-06-22
$307.80
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 a record ~$1.8B backlog and zero debt.

Rationale

The quality_momentum signal is reinforced by a 30% ROE, ~17% profit margins, strong 12-month price momentum, and a ~97% YoY surge in new orders anchored by a $400M data-center award that provides multi-quarter revenue visibility.

Material risks

  • 1Backlog concentration in two cyclical end-markets (LNG export terminals and hyperscaler data centers) means a single large cancellation or policy-driven capex freeze could materially impair the revenue pipeline underpinning the momentum thesis.
  • 2Q2 FY2026 EPS of $1.25 missed consensus of ~$1.34 while SG&A rose 19% and R&D 56%, signaling cost creep that could compress margins if project shipment timing slips against a ramping cost base.

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