ETN vs. GE: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 23, 2025

Here’s a clear look at ETN and GE, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	ETN	GE
Company Name	Eaton Corporation plc	GE Aerospace
Country	Ireland	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Electrical Equipment	Industrial Conglomerates
Market Capitalization	134.78 billion USD	282.54 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	June 1, 1972	January 2, 1962
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ETN and GE 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.

ETN vs. GE: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	ETN	GE
5-Day Price Return	-2.50%	-1.21%
13-Week Price Return	5.14%	13.24%
26-Week Price Return	12.48%	27.87%
52-Week Price Return	16.55%	55.88%
Month-to-Date Return	-10.01%	-1.71%
Year-to-Date Return	4.32%	59.75%
10-Day Avg. Volume	2.26M	4.18M
3-Month Avg. Volume	2.42M	6.09M
3-Month Volatility	26.60%	23.66%
Beta	1.20	1.53

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

ETN

21.03%

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 37.56%
Q3: 20.60%
Median: 14.38%
Q1: 4.35%
Min: 0.90%

In the upper quartile for the Electrical Equipment industry, ETN’s Return on Equity of 21.03% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

GE

40.51%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 21.93%
Q3: 14.23%
Median: 7.81%
Q1: 5.91%
Min: -3.58%

GE’s Return on Equity of 40.51% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

ETN vs. GE: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

ETN

15.56%

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 20.43%
Q3: 10.97%
Median: 6.07%
Q1: 3.16%
Min: 0.29%

A Net Profit Margin of 15.56% places ETN in the upper quartile for the Electrical Equipment industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

GE

18.64%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 18.70%
Q3: 12.58%
Median: 9.26%
Q1: 3.87%
Min: -2.26%

A Net Profit Margin of 18.64% places GE in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

ETN vs. GE: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

ETN

19.27%

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 26.20%
Q3: 14.31%
Median: 7.54%
Q1: 3.77%
Min: -5.64%

An Operating Profit Margin of 19.27% places ETN in the upper quartile for the Electrical Equipment industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

GE

15.53%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 25.69%
Q3: 17.03%
Median: 12.85%
Q1: 8.81%
Min: -0.73%

GE’s Operating Profit Margin of 15.53% is around the midpoint for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

ETN vs. GE: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	ETN	GE
Return on Equity (TTM)	21.03%	40.51%
Return on Assets (TTM)	9.99%	6.22%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	15.56%	18.64%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	19.27%	15.53%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	38.45%	35.97%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

ETN

1.24

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 3.02
Q3: 1.99
Median: 1.41
Q1: 1.07
Min: 0.80

ETN’s Current Ratio of 1.24 aligns with the median group of the Electrical Equipment industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

GE

1.04

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 2.19
Q3: 1.64
Median: 1.38
Q1: 1.13
Min: 0.61

GE’s Current Ratio of 1.04 falls into the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

ETN vs. GE: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

ETN

0.59

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 1.44
Q3: 0.99
Median: 0.56
Q1: 0.24
Min: 0.00

ETN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.59 is typical for the Electrical Equipment industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

GE

0.99

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 2.27
Q3: 1.47
Median: 0.99
Q1: 0.66
Min: 0.21

GE’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.99 is typical for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

ETN vs. GE: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

ETN

36.12

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 36.12
Q3: 19.29
Median: 9.38
Q1: 1.16
Min: -10.92

ETN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 36.12 is in the upper quartile for the Electrical Equipment industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

GE

5.01

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 11.17
Q3: 8.02
Median: 5.88
Q1: 2.73
Min: -2.15

GE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.01 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

ETN vs. GE: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	ETN	GE
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.24	1.04
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.63	0.73
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.59	0.99
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	36.12	5.01

Growth

Revenue Growth

ETN vs. GE: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

ETN vs. GE: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

ETN

1.16%

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 2.20%
Q3: 1.53%
Median: 1.01%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

ETN’s Dividend Yield of 1.16% is consistent with its peers in the Electrical Equipment industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

GE

0.46%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 10.17%
Q3: 5.53%
Median: 3.14%
Q1: 1.88%
Min: 0.00%

GE’s Dividend Yield of 0.46% is in the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

ETN vs. GE: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

ETN

39.77%

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 119.44%
Q3: 51.87%
Median: 27.71%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

ETN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 39.77% is within the typical range for the Electrical Equipment industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

GE

16.78%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 181.91%
Q3: 95.57%
Median: 50.60%
Q1: 35.01%
Min: 1.76%

GE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 16.78% is in the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

ETN vs. GE: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	ETN	GE
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.16%	0.46%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	39.77%	16.78%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

ETN

34.15

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 81.85
Q3: 44.17
Median: 27.61
Q1: 18.62
Min: 7.73

ETN’s P/E Ratio of 34.15 is within the middle range for the Electrical Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

GE

36.39

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 36.98
Q3: 22.09
Median: 12.18
Q1: 8.93
Min: 5.63

A P/E Ratio of 36.39 places GE in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

ETN vs. GE: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

ETN

5.30

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 8.18
Q3: 4.02
Median: 1.84
Q1: 0.97
Min: 0.44

ETN’s P/S Ratio of 5.30 is in the upper echelon for the Electrical Equipment 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.

GE

6.78

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 3.60
Q3: 2.10
Median: 0.68
Q1: 0.42
Min: 0.11

With a P/S Ratio of 6.78, GE trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

ETN vs. GE: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

ETN

7.51

Electrical Equipment Industry

Max: 8.50
Q3: 4.53
Median: 3.39
Q1: 1.70
Min: 0.51

ETN’s P/B Ratio of 7.51 is in the upper tier for the Electrical Equipment 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.

GE

14.26

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 4.89
Q3: 2.51
Median: 1.06
Q1: 0.60
Min: 0.27

At 14.26, GE’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Industrial Conglomerates 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.

ETN vs. GE: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	ETN	GE
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	34.15	36.39
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.30	6.78
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	7.51	14.26
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	40.98	51.39