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BE vs. GWW: Bloom Energy vs. W.W. Grainger Stock Comparison

How do Bloom Energy (BE) and W.W. Grainger (GWW) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Bloom Energy (BE) and W.W. Grainger (GWW) both fall under the Capital Goods industry group, but BE is classified in Electrical Equipment while GWW is classified in Trading Companies & Distributors.

Company profile comparison for Bloom Energy (BE) and W.W. Grainger (GWW)
Profile ItemBEGWW
NameBloom Energy Corp. Class A Common StockW.W. Grainger Inc.
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorIndustrialsIndustrials
GICS Industry GroupCapital GoodsCapital Goods
GICS IndustryElectrical EquipmentTrading Companies & Distributors
GICS Sub-IndustryHeavy Electrical EquipmentTrading Companies & Distributors
Market Capitalization51.20 billion USD67.45 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateJuly 25, 2018February 21, 1973
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

BE
GWW
GSPC
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Bloom Energy (BE) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Bloom Energy (BE) and W.W. Grainger (GWW). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Bloom Energy (BE) and W.W. Grainger (GWW). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Bloom Energy (BE) and W.W. Grainger (GWW)
MetricBEGWW
Total Return (1Y)46.07%54.07%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)162.89%24.16%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)41.93%25.95%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

BE
GWW
GSPC
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Bloom Energy (BE) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Bloom Energy (BE) and W.W. Grainger (GWW). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Bloom Energy (BE) carries a highly aggressive beta of 3.61, indicating much higher sensitivity to broad-market moves, whereas W.W. Grainger (GWW) is closer to market-like at 0.93 — a noticeable difference in market-sensitivity profile.

Bloom Energy (BE) is heavily traded at around 15.48M shares per day, whereas W.W. Grainger (GWW) sees a more moderate 250.35K — larger orders in the latter may require more patience and tighter control over order sizing.

Risk profile metrics for Bloom Energy (BE) and W.W. Grainger (GWW)
MetricBEGWW
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)112.64%24.49%
Beta (5Y)3.610.93
Max Drawdown (5Y)-74.98%-24.50%
Avg. Volume (3M)15.48M250.35K

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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BE and GWW are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Bloom Energy (BE) and W.W. Grainger (GWW)
MetricBEGWW
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)0.372.03
Sortino Ratio (1Y)0.573.31

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both companies show strong equity returns, but W.W. Grainger (GWW) at 52.33% is the standout with ROE above its industry range; Bloom Energy (BE) at 39.61% also sits in the top quartile.

BE

Capital Goods industry group

39.61%

Max
40.55%
BE
39.61%
Q3
19.29%
Median
12.12%
Q1
4.08%
Min
-17.12%

GWW

Capital Goods industry group

52.33%

GWW
52.33%
Max
40.55%
Q3
19.29%
Median
12.12%
Q1
4.08%
Min
-17.12%
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Bloom Energy (BE) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW): A comparison of their ROE against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Bloom Energy (BE) at 13.53% retains a top-quartile share of revenue as profit, ahead of W.W. Grainger (GWW) at 11.17%, which keeps about the industry-typical share.

BE

Capital Goods industry group

13.53%

Max
27.47%
BE
13.53%
Q3
12.10%
Median
6.30%
Q1
1.40%
Min
-12.89%

GWW

Capital Goods industry group

11.17%

Max
27.47%
Q3
12.10%
GWW
11.17%
Median
6.30%
Q1
1.40%
Min
-12.89%
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Bloom Energy (BE) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW): A comparison of their net margin against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Bloom Energy (BE) at 18.49% operates in the top operating margin quartile, ahead of W.W. Grainger (GWW) at 16.14%, which runs around its industry’s norm.

BE

Capital Goods industry group

18.49%

Max
36.60%
BE
18.49%
Q3
18.33%
Median
11.12%
Q1
5.14%
Min
-12.63%

GWW

Capital Goods industry group

16.14%

Max
36.60%
Q3
18.33%
GWW
16.14%
Median
11.12%
Q1
5.14%
Min
-12.63%
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Bloom Energy (BE) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW): A comparison of their operating margin against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Bloom Energy (BE) and W.W. Grainger (GWW)
MetricBEGWW
ROE (TTM)39.61%52.33%
ROA (TTM)7.45%20.34%
Net Margin (TTM)13.53%11.17%
Operating Margin (TTM)18.49%16.14%
Gross Margin (TTM)31.77%39.43%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Bloom Energy (BE) at 37.33% sits in the top revenue growth quartile, while W.W. Grainger (GWW) at 4.51% is closer to the peer norm — faster top-line expansion for BE.

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Bloom Energy (BE) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Only one side can be read here: W.W. Grainger (GWW) reports EPS growth of -8.55%, ranked against its industry; Bloom Energy (BE) has no EPS growth figure this period.

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Bloom Energy (BE) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Bloom Energy (BE) and W.W. Grainger (GWW)
MetricBEGWW
Revenue Growth (YoY)37.33%4.51%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)19.06%5.62%
EPS Growth (YoY)---8.55%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)--5.60%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

W.W. Grainger (GWW) at 2.61 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Bloom Energy (BE) at 3.74 sits above its industry’s typical mid-range — comfortable liquidity, though possibly with more idle current assets relative to peers.

BE

Capital Goods industry group

3.74

Max
5.22
BE
3.74
Q3
2.95
Median
2.08
Q1
1.43
Min
0.36

GWW

Capital Goods industry group

2.61

Max
5.22
Q3
2.95
GWW
2.61
Median
2.08
Q1
1.43
Min
0.36
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Bloom Energy (BE) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW): A comparison of their current ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

W.W. Grainger (GWW) at 0.65 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while Bloom Energy (BE) at 1.42 uses more debt funding than most peers.

BE

Capital Goods industry group

1.42

Max
2.33
BE
1.42
Q3
1.12
Median
0.60
Q1
0.29
Min
0.00

GWW

Capital Goods industry group

0.65

Max
2.33
Q3
1.12
GWW
0.65
Median
0.60
Q1
0.29
Min
0.00
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Bloom Energy (BE) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Bloom Energy (BE) and W.W. Grainger (GWW)
MetricBEGWW
Current Ratio (MRQ)3.742.61
Debt / Equity (MRQ)1.420.65
Net Debt / EBITDA0.500.69

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Bloom Energy (BE) pays no dividend (yield 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile W.W. Grainger (GWW) reports a yield of 0.65%, ranking against industry peers normally.

BE

Capital Goods industry group

0.00%

Max
2.66%
Q3
1.14%
Median
0.24%
BE
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

GWW

Capital Goods industry group

0.65%

Max
2.66%
Q3
1.14%
GWW
0.65%
Median
0.24%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Bloom Energy (BE) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Bloom Energy (BE) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile W.W. Grainger (GWW) reports a payout of 20.87%, ranking against industry peers normally.

BE

Capital Goods industry group

0.00%

Max
67.39%
Q3
28.02%
Median
6.86%
BE
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

GWW

Capital Goods industry group

20.87%

Max
67.39%
Q3
28.02%
GWW
20.87%
Median
6.86%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Bloom Energy (BE) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Bloom Energy (BE) and W.W. Grainger (GWW)
MetricBEGWW
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.00%0.65%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)0.00%20.87%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

W.W. Grainger (GWW) at 31.66 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Bloom Energy (BE) at 104.99 sits above its peer range — an unusually expensive price for BE’s trailing earnings.

BE

Capital Goods industry group

104.99

BE
104.99
Max
59.38
Q3
35.92
Median
25.41
Q1
19.47
Min
3.03

GWW

Capital Goods industry group

31.66

Max
59.38
Q3
35.92
GWW
31.66
Median
25.41
Q1
19.47
Min
3.03
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Bloom Energy (BE) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

W.W. Grainger (GWW) at 3.48 prices around its industry’s typical P/S ratio, while Bloom Energy (BE) at 13.37 clears its benchmark range — BE looks notably rich on sales.

BE

Capital Goods industry group

13.37

BE
13.37
Max
7.54
Q3
3.76
Median
2.15
Q1
1.03
Min
0.03

GWW

Capital Goods industry group

3.48

Max
7.54
Q3
3.76
GWW
3.48
Median
2.15
Q1
1.03
Min
0.03
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Bloom Energy (BE) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Measured against book value, both Bloom Energy (BE) at 26.49 and W.W. Grainger (GWW) at 15.56 look expensive — each P/B ratio sits above its industry’s benchmark range.

BE

Capital Goods industry group

26.49

BE
26.49
Max
9.66
Q3
5.00
Median
3.12
Q1
1.81
Min
-1.08

GWW

Capital Goods industry group

15.56

GWW
15.56
Max
9.66
Q3
5.00
Median
3.12
Q1
1.81
Min
-1.08
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Bloom Energy (BE) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Bloom Energy (BE) and W.W. Grainger (GWW)
MetricBEGWW
P/E Ratio (TTM)104.9931.66
P/S Ratio (TTM)13.373.48
P/B Ratio (MRQ)26.4915.56
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)-0.00%1.97%