Better Buy: Emerson Electric vs. Rockwell Automation

These two automation-focused stocks have had contrasting times of it in recent years. Over the last five years, Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK) stock is up 154%, with Emerson Electric (NYSE: EMR) up only 83%, as compared to the S&P 500 index's 111% increase over the same period. What's going on, and which stock is better placed for 2021?

The two companies will also be inextricably linked due to Emerson Electric's failed attempt to buy Rockwell in 2017. Back then, Emerson's CEO David Farr was hoping to create a U.S. powerhouse in automation by marrying Emerson's expertise in process automation (managing the flow of raw material into products, such as in petrochemical refining) with Rockwell's factory automation (automated processes in manufacturing).

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Source Fool.com