BWXT vs. GWW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at BWXT and GWW, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | BWXT | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | BWX Technologies, Inc. | W.W. Grainger, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Trading Companies & Distributors |
| Market Capitalization | 18.17 billion USD | 45.17 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | August 2, 2010 | February 21, 1973 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of BWXT 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 | BWXT | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.80% | -0.62% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 11.75% | 1.09% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 84.47% | -8.99% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 64.22% | -20.10% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -6.94% | -2.97% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 78.46% | -9.88% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.64M | 0.37M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.25M | 0.32M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 36.06% | 19.16% |
| Beta | 0.84 | 1.14 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
BWXT
26.49%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 37.11%
- Q3
- 20.14%
- Median
- 11.72%
- Q1
- 6.30%
- Min
- -6.24%
In the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, BWXT’s Return on Equity of 26.49% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
GWW
49.17%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 32.99%
- Q3
- 19.66%
- Median
- 13.72%
- Q1
- 9.74%
- Min
- -0.34%
GWW’s Return on Equity of 49.17% 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)
BWXT
10.23%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 13.66%
- Q3
- 8.61%
- Median
- 6.59%
- Q1
- 4.92%
- Min
- 1.01%
A Net Profit Margin of 10.23% places BWXT in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
GWW
9.75%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 16.11%
- Q3
- 9.48%
- Median
- 5.89%
- Q1
- 3.68%
- Min
- -1.09%
A Net Profit Margin of 9.75% 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)
BWXT
13.55%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.35%
- Q3
- 12.83%
- Median
- 9.29%
- Q1
- 6.38%
- Min
- -2.15%
An Operating Profit Margin of 13.55% places BWXT in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
GWW
14.05%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 26.26%
- Q3
- 14.59%
- Median
- 7.05%
- Q1
- 4.94%
- Min
- -8.06%
GWW’s Operating Profit Margin of 14.05% is around the midpoint for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | BWXT | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 26.49% | 49.17% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 9.32% | 19.62% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.23% | 9.75% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.55% | 14.05% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 24.26% | 39.09% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
BWXT
1.69
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 3.35
- Q3
- 2.03
- Median
- 1.24
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.77
BWXT’s Current Ratio of 1.69 aligns with the median group of the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
GWW
2.72
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 3.32
- Q3
- 2.27
- Median
- 1.60
- Q1
- 1.41
- Min
- 0.26
GWW’s Current Ratio of 2.72 is in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
BWXT
1.29
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.72
- Q3
- 0.96
- Median
- 0.63
- Q1
- 0.37
- Min
- 0.03
BWXT’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Aerospace & Defense industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.29. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
GWW
0.67
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.93
- Q3
- 1.24
- Median
- 0.79
- Q1
- 0.61
- Min
- 0.01
GWW’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.67 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)
BWXT
93.87
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 36.57
- Q3
- 19.08
- Median
- 7.25
- Q1
- 2.65
- Min
- -7.63
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 93.87, BWXT demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
GWW
34.56
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 15.13
- Q3
- 7.93
- Median
- 5.67
- Q1
- 2.04
- 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 | BWXT | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.69 | 2.72 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.60 | 1.49 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.29 | 0.67 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 93.87 | 34.56 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
BWXT
0.50%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 2.72%
- Q3
- 1.45%
- Median
- 0.48%
- Q1
- 0.08%
- Min
- 0.00%
BWXT’s Dividend Yield of 0.50% is consistent with its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
GWW
1.01%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 5.25%
- Q3
- 2.95%
- Median
- 2.06%
- Q1
- 1.11%
- Min
- 0.00%
GWW’s Dividend Yield of 1.01% 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)
BWXT
31.06%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 110.40%
- Q3
- 50.43%
- Median
- 17.11%
- Q1
- 0.46%
- Min
- 0.00%
BWXT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 31.06% is within the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
GWW
26.47%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 136.12%
- Q3
- 71.34%
- Median
- 47.49%
- Q1
- 22.56%
- Min
- 0.00%
GWW’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 26.47% is within the typical range for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | BWXT | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.50% | 1.01% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 31.06% | 26.47% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
BWXT
61.58
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 67.20
- Q3
- 55.74
- Median
- 33.28
- Q1
- 27.49
- Min
- 15.02
A P/E Ratio of 61.58 places BWXT in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
GWW
26.25
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 42.69
- Q3
- 25.21
- Median
- 16.99
- Q1
- 13.13
- Min
- 5.35
A P/E Ratio of 26.25 places GWW in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
BWXT
6.30
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 9.06
- Q3
- 4.87
- Median
- 2.47
- Q1
- 1.61
- Min
- 0.33
BWXT’s P/S Ratio of 6.30 is in the upper echelon for the Aerospace & Defense 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.
GWW
2.56
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.90
- Q3
- 2.71
- Median
- 1.06
- Q1
- 0.70
- Min
- 0.30
GWW’s P/S Ratio of 2.56 aligns with the market consensus for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
BWXT
11.12
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 14.90
- Q3
- 8.93
- Median
- 4.70
- Q1
- 3.03
- Min
- 0.83
BWXT’s P/B Ratio of 11.12 is in the upper tier for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
GWW
12.80
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 7.55
- Q3
- 4.63
- Median
- 2.09
- Q1
- 1.30
- Min
- 0.31
At 12.80, 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 | BWXT | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 61.58 | 26.25 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 6.30 | 2.56 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 11.12 | 12.80 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 49.16 | 36.86 |