AJG vs. WTW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AJG and WTW, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
AJG’s market capitalization of 81.47 billion USD is substantially larger than WTW’s 30.40 billion USD, indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.
With betas of 0.75 for AJG and 0.71 for WTW, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
| Symbol | AJG | WTW |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. | Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company |
| Country | US | GB |
| Sector | Financial Services | Financial Services |
| Industry | Insurance - Brokers | Insurance - Brokers |
| CEO | J. Patrick Gallagher Jr. | Carl A. Hess CERA, |
| Price | 318.1 USD | 306.64 USD |
| Market Cap | 81.47 billion USD | 30.40 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.75 | 0.71 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NASDAQ |
| IPO Date | June 20, 1984 | June 12, 2001 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AJG and WTW by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period.
Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Profitability
Return on Equity
AJG
9.41%
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 40.40%
- Q3
- 30.52%
- Median
- 22.48%
- Q1
- 4.38%
- Min
- -5.38%
AJG’s Return on Equity of 9.41% is on par with the norm for the Insurance - Brokers industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
WTW
-0.64%
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 40.40%
- Q3
- 30.52%
- Median
- 22.48%
- Q1
- 4.38%
- Min
- -5.38%
WTW has a negative Return on Equity of -0.64%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
Return on Invested Capital
AJG
5.85%
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 11.62%
- Q3
- 11.18%
- Median
- 8.38%
- Q1
- 2.57%
- Min
- -1.51%
AJG’s Return on Invested Capital of 5.85% is in line with the norm for the Insurance - Brokers industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
WTW
-1.51%
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 11.62%
- Q3
- 11.18%
- Median
- 8.38%
- Q1
- 2.57%
- Min
- -1.51%
WTW has a negative Return on Invested Capital of -1.51%. This indicates that its operations are failing to generate a profit on the total capital invested, signaling significant inefficiency or value destruction.
Net Profit Margin
AJG
12.96%
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 21.33%
- Q3
- 15.86%
- Median
- 10.63%
- Q1
- 1.06%
- Min
- -2.28%
AJG’s Net Profit Margin of 12.96% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Insurance - Brokers industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
WTW
-0.54%
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 21.33%
- Q3
- 15.86%
- Median
- 10.63%
- Q1
- 1.06%
- Min
- -2.28%
WTW has a negative Net Profit Margin of -0.54%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
Operating Profit Margin
AJG
23.06%
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 28.73%
- Q3
- 23.24%
- Median
- 21.46%
- Q1
- 10.89%
- Min
- 5.35%
AJG’s Operating Profit Margin of 23.06% is around the midpoint for the Insurance - Brokers industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
WTW
8.87%
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 28.73%
- Q3
- 23.24%
- Median
- 21.46%
- Q1
- 10.89%
- Min
- 5.35%
WTW’s Operating Profit Margin of 8.87% is in the lower quartile for the Insurance - Brokers industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AJG | WTW |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 9.41% | -0.64% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.10% | -0.19% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 5.85% | -1.51% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.96% | -0.54% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 23.06% | 8.87% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 55.08% | 52.69% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
AJG
1.44
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 1.90
- Q3
- 1.76
- Median
- 1.29
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 1.05
AJG’s Current Ratio of 1.44 aligns with the median group of the Insurance - Brokers industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
WTW
1.16
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 1.90
- Q3
- 1.76
- Median
- 1.29
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 1.05
WTW’s Current Ratio of 1.16 aligns with the median group of the Insurance - Brokers industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
AJG
0.04
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 4.59
- Q3
- 2.12
- Median
- 0.59
- Q1
- 0.07
- Min
- 0.01
Falling into the lower quartile for the Insurance - Brokers industry, AJG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.04 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
WTW
0.73
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 4.59
- Q3
- 2.12
- Median
- 0.59
- Q1
- 0.07
- Min
- 0.01
WTW’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.73 is typical for the Insurance - Brokers industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio
AJG
29.40
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 29.40
- Q3
- 16.65
- Median
- 7.25
- Q1
- 4.20
- Min
- 1.60
AJG’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 29.40 is in the upper quartile for the Insurance - Brokers industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
WTW
3.30
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 29.40
- Q3
- 16.65
- Median
- 7.25
- Q1
- 4.20
- Min
- 1.60
In the lower quartile for the Insurance - Brokers industry, WTW’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.30 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AJG | WTW |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 1.44 | 1.16 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 1.44 | 1.16 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.04 | 0.73 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.01 | 0.21 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | -4.68 | 1.36 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 29.40 | 3.30 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AJG and WTW. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
AJG
0.79%
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 2.63%
- Q3
- 1.34%
- Median
- 0.79%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AJG’s Dividend Yield of 0.79% is consistent with its peers in the Insurance - Brokers industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
WTW
1.17%
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 2.63%
- Q3
- 1.34%
- Median
- 0.79%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WTW’s Dividend Yield of 1.17% is consistent with its peers in the Insurance - Brokers industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio
AJG
35.97%
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 45.22%
- Q3
- 39.19%
- Median
- 29.49%
- Q1
- 3.85%
- Min
- 0.00%
AJG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 35.97% is within the typical range for the Insurance - Brokers industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
WTW
-671.70%
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 45.22%
- Q3
- 39.19%
- Median
- 29.49%
- Q1
- 3.85%
- Min
- 0.00%
WTW has a negative Dividend Payout Ratio of -671.70%. This typically means the company paid a dividend despite reporting a net loss, a situation that may signal financial instability.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AJG | WTW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.79% | 1.17% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 35.97% | -671.70% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
AJG
46.21
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 45.50
- Q3
- 35.20
- Median
- 30.00
- Q1
- 28.34
- Min
- 26.42
At 46.21, AJG’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Insurance - Brokers industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
WTW
-578.57
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 45.50
- Q3
- 35.20
- Median
- 30.00
- Q1
- 28.34
- Min
- 26.42
WTW has a negative P/E Ratio of -578.57. This occurs when a company has negative earnings (a net loss), making the ratio unsuitable for valuation analysis.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
AJG
3.32
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 3.32
- Q3
- 3.00
- Median
- 2.77
- Q1
- 2.41
- Min
- 2.09
AJG’s Forward PEG Ratio of 3.32 is exceptionally high for the Insurance - Brokers industry. This suggests its stock price is very high relative to its expected earnings growth, signaling significant overvaluation risk.
WTW
-41.18
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 3.32
- Q3
- 3.00
- Median
- 2.77
- Q1
- 2.41
- Min
- 2.09
WTW has a negative Forward PEG Ratio of -41.18. This typically results from negative earnings or forecasts of declining future earnings, making the ratio not meaningful for valuation.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
AJG
6.77
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 7.38
- Q3
- 5.34
- Median
- 4.27
- Q1
- 2.32
- Min
- 0.27
AJG’s P/S Ratio of 6.77 is in the upper echelon for the Insurance - Brokers industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
WTW
3.10
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 7.38
- Q3
- 5.34
- Median
- 4.27
- Q1
- 2.32
- Min
- 0.27
WTW’s P/S Ratio of 3.10 aligns with the market consensus for the Insurance - Brokers industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio
AJG
3.23
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 10.90
- Q3
- 8.10
- Median
- 6.93
- Q1
- 4.15
- Min
- 1.12
AJG’s P/B Ratio of 3.23 is in the lower quartile for the Insurance - Brokers industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
WTW
3.77
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 10.90
- Q3
- 8.10
- Median
- 6.93
- Q1
- 4.15
- Min
- 1.12
WTW’s P/B Ratio of 3.77 is in the lower quartile for the Insurance - Brokers industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AJG | WTW |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 46.21 | -578.57 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 3.32 | -41.18 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 6.77 | 3.10 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 3.23 | 3.77 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 32.26 | 20.80 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 19.36 | 10.72 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 5.46 | 3.55 |