Powell(US:POWL) ZACKS·2025-10-07 16:26Core Insights - Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL) is experiencing strong momentum in its electric utility and commercial markets, with revenues from the electric utility sector increasing by 31% year over year and commercial & other industrial sector revenues rising by 18% in Q3 FY25 [1][9] Financial Performance - The company's backlog reached $1.4 billion, reflecting a 7% sequential increase, with new orders totaling $362 million in Q3 FY25 compared to $356 million in the same quarter last year [2][9] - In the first nine months of fiscal 2025, Powell Industries distributed $9.6 million in dividends, up from $12.7 million in the same period of fiscal 2024, and increased its quarterly dividend by approximately 1% in February 2025 [4] Investment and Expansion - In August 2025, Powell Industries announced a $12.4 million investment to expand production capacity at its Jacintoport facility in Houston, contributing to a total of approximately $40 million invested across its three Houston facilities over recent years [3] Cost and Expenses - The company has faced challenges with high operating costs, with cost of sales increasing by 5.7% year over year and selling, general, and administrative expenses rising by 8.1% in the first nine months of fiscal 2025 [8] - Material costs accounted for 47% of the company's revenues in fiscal 2024, indicating significant exposure to raw material price fluctuations [8][10] Market Performance - Over the past year, Powell Industries has gained 26.7%, outperforming the electronics manufacturing industry's growth of 13.6% [7]