EFX vs. GWW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at EFX and GWW, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | EFX | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Equifax Inc. | W.W. Grainger, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Professional Services | Trading Companies & Distributors |
| Market Capitalization | 25.23 billion USD | 44.26 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 | February 21, 1973 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of EFX 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 | EFX | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.80% | -2.50% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -16.38% | -4.51% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -24.33% | -13.14% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -22.12% | -22.94% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -1.87% | -5.39% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -18.72% | -12.13% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.50M | 0.26M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.19M | 0.32M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 32.30% | 18.13% |
| Beta | 1.56 | 1.15 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
EFX
13.29%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 50.82%
- Q3
- 32.98%
- Median
- 21.73%
- Q1
- 12.35%
- Min
- -10.69%
EFX’s Return on Equity of 13.29% is on par with the norm for the Professional Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
GWW
49.17%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 32.99%
- Q3
- 19.30%
- Median
- 12.90%
- Q1
- 9.19%
- Min
- -4.19%
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)
EFX
11.08%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 27.86%
- Q3
- 14.27%
- Median
- 7.71%
- Q1
- 4.47%
- Min
- -9.49%
EFX’s Net Profit Margin of 11.08% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Professional Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
GWW
9.75%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 18.35%
- Q3
- 9.73%
- Median
- 6.00%
- Q1
- 3.53%
- Min
- -3.81%
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)
EFX
18.49%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 35.71%
- Q3
- 19.52%
- Median
- 12.30%
- Q1
- 7.86%
- Min
- -1.29%
EFX’s Operating Profit Margin of 18.49% is around the midpoint for the Professional Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
GWW
14.05%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 25.07%
- Q3
- 13.61%
- Median
- 7.26%
- Q1
- 4.79%
- Min
- -7.51%
An Operating Profit Margin of 14.05% 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 | EFX | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 13.29% | 49.17% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.56% | 19.62% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 11.08% | 9.75% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.49% | 14.05% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 56.26% | 39.09% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
EFX
0.74
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.45
- Q3
- 1.69
- Median
- 1.33
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.47
EFX’s Current Ratio of 0.74 falls into the lower quartile for the Professional Services industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
GWW
2.72
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 3.62
- Q3
- 2.33
- Median
- 1.57
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.27
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)
EFX
0.97
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.55
- Q3
- 1.54
- Median
- 0.94
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.00
EFX’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.97 is typical for the Professional Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
GWW
0.67
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.93
- Q3
- 1.19
- Median
- 0.78
- Q1
- 0.54
- Min
- 0.00
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)
EFX
4.54
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 39.45
- Q3
- 20.05
- Median
- 11.35
- Q1
- 5.46
- Min
- -1.21
In the lower quartile for the Professional Services industry, EFX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.54 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
GWW
34.56
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 15.13
- Q3
- 7.93
- Median
- 5.62
- Q1
- 1.79
- 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 | EFX | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.74 | 2.72 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.67 | 1.49 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.97 | 0.67 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 4.54 | 34.56 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
EFX
0.88%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 4.35%
- Q3
- 2.86%
- Median
- 1.57%
- Q1
- 0.72%
- Min
- 0.00%
EFX’s Dividend Yield of 0.88% is consistent with its peers in the Professional Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
GWW
1.04%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 5.11%
- Q3
- 2.73%
- Median
- 2.07%
- Q1
- 1.04%
- Min
- 0.00%
GWW’s Dividend Yield of 1.04% is consistent with its peers in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
EFX
33.46%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 99.60%
- Q3
- 69.06%
- Median
- 43.41%
- Q1
- 19.44%
- Min
- 0.00%
EFX’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 33.46% is within the typical range for the Professional Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
GWW
26.47%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 136.12%
- Q3
- 68.26%
- Median
- 48.45%
- Q1
- 22.66%
- 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 | EFX | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.88% | 1.04% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 33.46% | 26.47% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
EFX
38.03
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 52.91
- Q3
- 32.20
- Median
- 25.00
- Q1
- 17.95
- Min
- 6.60
A P/E Ratio of 38.03 places EFX in the upper quartile for the Professional Services industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
GWW
25.46
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 37.92
- Q3
- 24.64
- Median
- 17.42
- Q1
- 14.27
- Min
- 5.07
A P/E Ratio of 25.46 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)
EFX
4.21
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 8.52
- Q3
- 4.25
- Median
- 2.07
- Q1
- 0.84
- Min
- 0.18
EFX’s P/S Ratio of 4.21 aligns with the market consensus for the Professional Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
GWW
2.48
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.94
- Q3
- 2.49
- Median
- 1.08
- Q1
- 0.75
- Min
- 0.30
GWW’s P/S Ratio of 2.48 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)
EFX
6.43
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 18.65
- Q3
- 9.28
- Median
- 6.16
- Q1
- 2.96
- Min
- 0.53
EFX’s P/B Ratio of 6.43 is within the conventional range for the Professional Services 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
12.80
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 9.42
- Q3
- 4.66
- Median
- 2.10
- Q1
- 1.34
- 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 | EFX | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 38.03 | 25.46 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.21 | 2.48 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 6.43 | 12.80 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 25.06 | 35.75 |