Powell Industries Stock Surges Over 200% in a Year, and One Fund Dumped a $37 Million Stake Last Quarter

On February 17, 2026, Ophir Asset Management disclosed in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing that it sold out of Powell Industries (NASDAQ:POWL), liquidating 121,240 shares in the fourth quarter of 2025. The estimated transaction value was $36.96 million based on last-disclosed position values.

What happened

According to an SEC filing dated February 17, 2026, Ophir Asset Management sold its entire holding of 121,240 shares in Powell Industries during the fourth quarter of 2025. The net position change of $36.96 million reflects the total change in stake value.

What else to know

• Ophir sold out of Powell Industries, reducing its Powell exposure from 4.6% to zero of reportable 13F assets.
• Top holdings after the filing:
  • NYSE: VVX: $49.76 million (5.6% of AUM)
  • NYSE: AIR: $45.49 million (5.1% of AUM)
  • NASDAQ: SIMO: $43.34 million (4.9% of AUM)
  • NASDAQ: HURN: $42.24 million (4.7% of AUM)
  • NASDAQ: MRX: $41.70 million (4.7% of AUM)
• As of Thursday, POWL shares were priced at $503.01, up a staggering 213% over the past year and handily outperforming the S&P 500’s roughly 16% gain in the same period.

Company overview

Company snapshot

• Powell Industries designs and manufactures custom-engineered electrical distribution, control, and monitoring equipment, including integrated power control rooms, switchgears, motor control centers, and bus duct systems.
• The company generates revenue through the sale of specialized electrical systems and value-added services such as installation, commissioning, retrofits, and spare parts for industrial and utility applications.
• It serves clients in oil and gas, petrochemical, LNG, mining, electric utility, transportation, and other heavy industrial sectors across North America, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

Powell Industries, Inc. is a leading provider of engineered electrical equipment and systems for high-demand industrial and utility markets. With a strong presence in custom solutions and value-added services, the company leverages technical expertise to address complex power distribution and control needs. Its diversified end-market exposure and global operations underpin its competitive positioning in the electrical equipment industry.

What this transaction means for investors

Explosive stock runs, and especially one that sees prices roughly triple, often force investors to make a simple decision: hold on and hope the rally continues, or lock in gains while sentiment is still strong. When a company’s share price triples in a year, trimming exposure can be less about losing conviction and more about portfolio discipline.

Powell Industries has been one of the market’s standout industrial winners. Demand for electrical infrastructure tied to data centers, LNG projects, and power grid upgrades has pushed both orders and profitability sharply higher. In its latest quarter, revenue climbed to about $251 million, up 4% year over year, while net income jumped 19% to roughly $41 million, or $3.40 per share. New orders surged 63% to $439 million and pushed backlog to about $1.6 billion, signaling continued demand across energy and utility markets.

That kind of momentum helps explain why the stock surged more than 200% over the past year.

At the same time, the sale also aligns with the broader structure of the portfolio. Many of the largest positions sit in diversified industrial and technology names, suggesting a preference for companies with durable growth but not necessarily parabolic stock moves.

Jonathan Ponciano has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Huron Consulting Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.