Rockwell Automation vs Wendys Co — how do they compare? Rockwell Automation trades at $427.73 (market cap $47.65B), while Wendys Co trades at $7.55 (market cap $1.45B). The key difference: Rockwell Automation is far larger — about 32.9× Wendys Co's market cap, and Wendys Co pays the higher dividend (3.68%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ROK | WEN | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $47.65B | $1.45B |
Sector | Industrials | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $495.08 | $9.89 |
52-Week Low | $333.75 | $6.17 |
Enterprise Value | $50.79B | $5.18B |
Dividend Yield | 1.29% | 3.68% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Rockwell Automation (ROK) trades at $429.13, down 1.08% on the day, with a bearish technical signal and near-term support at $427. The company has beaten EPS estimates for three consecutive quarters, with Q3 2026 results pending. Revenue for 2025 was $8.34B, with a net income margin of 13.38%, though profitability has moderated from 2023 peaks. Recent news highlights expansion in AI-driven quality systems and remote support capabilities.
The stock offers a 19.8% upside to the consensus price target of $514, supported by analyst optimism on margin expansion and reshoring trends. However, high valuation multiples (P/E 40.18) and mixed technical indicators suggest near-term volatility. Key risks include execution on growth initiatives and macroeconomic pressures on industrial spending.
Wendy's (WEN) trades at $7.61, down 5.23% on the day, reflecting bearish technical signals and negative sentiment following the collapse of Trian's potential take-private bid. The stock shows a low P/E of 11.54 and P/S of 0.66, indicating potential undervaluation, but faces declining net income margins and high debt levels. Recent earnings have consistently beaten expectations, yet U.S. traffic fell 12.5% in 2026, highlighting operational challenges under new CEO Bob Wright's turnaround plan.
The outlook is cautious; while valuation metrics appear attractive and analyst consensus targets $8.13, near-term risks from weak sales, high leverage, and failed M&A speculation outweigh opportunities. Investors should monitor execution of the five-point reset strategy for traffic recovery, but competitive pressures and inconsistent cash flow generation pose significant headwinds for shareholder returns.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Rockwell Automation is a pure-play automation competitor that is the successor entity to Rockwell International, which spun off its former Rockwell Collins avionics segment in 2001. As of fiscal 2021, the firm operates through three segments--intelligent devices, software and control, and lifecycle services. Intelligent devices contains its drives, sensors, and industrial components, software and control contains its information and network and security software, while lifecycle services contains its consulting and maintenance services as well as its Sensia JV with Schlumberger.
Read more on ROK →The Wendy's Company is the second-largest burger quick-service restaurant, or QSR, chain in the United States by systemwide sales, with $11.1 billion in 2021, narrowly edging Burger King ($10.3 billion) and clocking in well behind wide-moat McDonald's ($45.7 billion). After divestitures of Tim Hortons (2006) and Arby's (2011), the firm manages just the burger banner, generating sales across a footprint that spans almost 7,000 total units in 30 countries. Wendy's generates revenue from the sale of hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, and fries throughout its company-owned footprint, through franchise royalty and marketing fund payments remitted by its franchisees, which account for 94% of stores, and through franchise flipping and advisory fees.
Read more on WEN →