BLDR vs. GWW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at BLDR and GWW, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | BLDR | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Builders FirstSource, Inc. | W.W. Grainger, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Building Products | Trading Companies & Distributors |
| Market Capitalization | 15.97 billion USD | 48.88 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 28, 2005 | February 21, 1973 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of BLDR and GWW 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | BLDR | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 5.81% | 4.47% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 33.28% | -5.50% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -2.37% | -0.08% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -14.15% | 4.24% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 13.62% | -1.70% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 1.06% | -3.05% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.20M | 0.29M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.17M | 0.28M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 50.79% | 27.58% |
| Beta | 1.68 | 1.20 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
BLDR
17.49%
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 48.58%
- Q3
- 27.65%
- Median
- 16.01%
- Q1
- 8.81%
- Min
- -6.66%
BLDR’s Return on Equity of 17.49% is on par with the norm for the Building Products industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
GWW
54.86%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 32.33%
- Q3
- 19.92%
- Median
- 14.05%
- Q1
- 11.46%
- Min
- 0.91%
GWW’s Return on Equity of 54.86% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
BLDR
4.74%
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 26.11%
- Q3
- 15.09%
- Median
- 9.48%
- Q1
- 5.16%
- Min
- -3.43%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Building Products industry, BLDR’s Net Profit Margin of 4.74% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
GWW
10.99%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 17.73%
- Q3
- 10.81%
- Median
- 6.13%
- Q1
- 4.33%
- Min
- 2.09%
A Net Profit Margin of 10.99% places GWW in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
BLDR
7.70%
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 26.67%
- Q3
- 18.75%
- Median
- 14.89%
- Q1
- 8.70%
- Min
- -1.00%
BLDR’s Operating Profit Margin of 7.70% is in the lower quartile for the Building Products industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
GWW
15.27%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 25.50%
- Q3
- 15.13%
- Median
- 7.46%
- Q1
- 5.44%
- Min
- 3.55%
An Operating Profit Margin of 15.27% places GWW in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | BLDR | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 17.49% | 54.86% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 6.82% | 21.63% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 4.74% | 10.99% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 7.70% | 15.27% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 31.58% | 39.25% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
BLDR
1.79
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 2.87
- Q3
- 2.03
- Median
- 1.60
- Q1
- 1.32
- Min
- 0.88
BLDR’s Current Ratio of 1.79 aligns with the median group of the Building Products industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
GWW
2.82
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 2.82
- Q3
- 2.13
- Median
- 1.60
- Q1
- 1.43
- Min
- 0.46
GWW’s Current Ratio of 2.82 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
BLDR
1.12
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 1.64
- Q3
- 1.02
- Median
- 0.66
- Q1
- 0.32
- Min
- 0.00
BLDR’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Building Products industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.12. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
GWW
0.64
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.88
- Q3
- 1.18
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.54
- Min
- 0.00
GWW’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.64 is typical for the Trading Companies & Distributors 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 (TTM)
BLDR
7.68
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 72.12
- Q3
- 34.39
- Median
- 15.31
- Q1
- 6.06
- Min
- 0.85
BLDR’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.68 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Building Products industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
GWW
34.56
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 15.13
- Q3
- 7.93
- Median
- 5.75
- Q1
- 2.70
- Min
- -1.67
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 34.56, GWW demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | BLDR | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.79 | 2.82 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.08 | 1.53 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.12 | 0.64 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.68 | 34.56 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
BLDR
0.00%
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 2.56%
- Q3
- 1.94%
- Median
- 1.04%
- Q1
- 0.66%
- Min
- 0.00%
BLDR currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
GWW
0.92%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.99%
- Q3
- 3.04%
- Median
- 1.94%
- Q1
- 1.22%
- Min
- 0.00%
GWW’s Dividend Yield of 0.92% is in the lower quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
BLDR
0.00%
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 157.36%
- Q3
- 77.74%
- Median
- 29.49%
- Q1
- 16.25%
- Min
- 0.00%
BLDR has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
GWW
22.89%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 95.14%
- Q3
- 62.08%
- Median
- 51.17%
- Q1
- 26.24%
- Min
- 0.00%
GWW’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 22.89% is in the lower quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | BLDR | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.92% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 22.89% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
BLDR
20.15
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 66.79
- Q3
- 37.37
- Median
- 21.86
- Q1
- 17.57
- Min
- 9.70
BLDR’s P/E Ratio of 20.15 is within the middle range for the Building Products industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
GWW
24.84
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 48.55
- Q3
- 26.73
- Median
- 17.17
- Q1
- 10.78
- Min
- 1.62
GWW’s P/E Ratio of 24.84 is within the middle range for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
BLDR
0.96
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 6.40
- Q3
- 3.25
- Median
- 1.65
- Q1
- 1.11
- Min
- 0.34
In the lower quartile for the Building Products industry, BLDR’s P/S Ratio of 0.96 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
GWW
2.73
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.88
- Q3
- 2.56
- Median
- 1.02
- Q1
- 0.60
- Min
- 0.29
GWW’s P/S Ratio of 2.73 is in the upper echelon for the Trading Companies & Distributors 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
BLDR
3.09
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 13.31
- Q3
- 6.85
- Median
- 3.20
- Q1
- 1.71
- Min
- 0.73
BLDR’s P/B Ratio of 3.09 is within the conventional range for the Building Products industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
GWW
13.60
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 8.77
- Q3
- 4.33
- Median
- 2.00
- Q1
- 1.11
- Min
- 0.35
At 13.60, GWW’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | BLDR | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 20.15 | 24.84 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.96 | 2.73 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.09 | 13.60 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 12.82 | 33.72 |