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

Updated on August 21, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	ETN	GS
Company Name	Eaton Corporation plc	The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
Country	Ireland	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Financials
GICS Industry	Electrical Equipment	Capital Markets
Market Capitalization	139.17 billion USD	225.43 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	June 1, 1972	May 4, 1999
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ETN and GS 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. GS: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	ETN	GS
5-Day Price Return	-0.74%	3.47%
13-Week Price Return	10.99%	25.93%
26-Week Price Return	13.18%	13.14%
52-Week Price Return	23.94%	53.39%
Month-to-Date Return	-7.08%	2.92%
Year-to-Date Return	7.72%	30.05%
10-Day Avg. Volume	3.29M	1.88M
3-Month Avg. Volume	2.61M	2.45M
3-Month Volatility	27.79%	21.99%
Beta	1.19	1.44

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.

GS

12.67%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 38.97%
Q3: 21.61%
Median: 13.77%
Q1: 8.31%
Min: -4.25%

GS’s Return on Equity of 12.67% is on par with the norm for the Capital Markets industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

ETN vs. GS: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Capital Markets 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.

GS

12.29%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 66.67%
Q3: 35.11%
Median: 23.49%
Q1: 13.63%
Min: -15.18%

Falling into the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, GS’s Net Profit Margin of 12.29% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

ETN vs. GS: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Capital Markets 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.

GS

15.68%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 86.40%
Q3: 46.46%
Median: 32.80%
Q1: 18.32%
Min: -21.87%

GS’s Operating Profit Margin of 15.68% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

ETN vs. GS: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	ETN	GS
Return on Equity (TTM)	21.03%	12.67%
Return on Assets (TTM)	9.99%	0.89%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	15.56%	12.29%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	19.27%	15.68%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	38.45%	38.58%

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.

GS

0.30

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 3.76
Q3: 1.89
Median: 1.01
Q1: 0.54
Min: -0.41

For the Capital Markets industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

ETN vs. GS: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Capital Markets 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.

GS

9.08

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 6.62
Q3: 2.84
Median: 1.02
Q1: 0.32
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Capital Markets industry.

ETN vs. GS: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Capital Markets 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.

GS

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 126.03
Q3: 60.98
Median: 11.77
Q1: 4.95
Min: -36.26

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Capital Markets industry.

ETN vs. GS: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	ETN	GS
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.24	0.30
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.63	0.30
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.59	9.08
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	36.12	--

Growth

Revenue Growth

ETN vs. GS: 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. GS: 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

1.13%

Electrical Equipment Industry

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

ETN’s Dividend Yield of 1.13% is consistent with its peers in the Electrical Equipment industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

GS

2.06%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 10.26%
Q3: 4.86%
Median: 2.78%
Q1: 1.22%
Min: 0.00%

GS’s Dividend Yield of 2.06% is consistent with its peers in the Capital Markets industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

ETN vs. GS: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Capital Markets 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.

GS

29.94%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 200.72%
Q3: 101.92%
Median: 57.97%
Q1: 32.36%
Min: 0.00%

GS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 29.94% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

ETN vs. GS: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	ETN	GS
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.13%	2.06%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	39.77%	29.94%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

ETN

35.19

Electrical Equipment Industry

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

ETN’s P/E Ratio of 35.19 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.

GS

14.53

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 58.89
Q3: 31.00
Median: 18.54
Q1: 12.09
Min: 5.24

GS’s P/E Ratio of 14.53 is within the middle range for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

ETN vs. GS: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

ETN

5.46

Electrical Equipment Industry

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

ETN’s P/S Ratio of 5.46 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.

GS

1.79

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 14.49
Q3: 7.41
Median: 4.68
Q1: 2.25
Min: 0.04

In the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, GS’s P/S Ratio of 1.79 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.

ETN vs. GS: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Capital Markets 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.

GS

1.75

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 9.48
Q3: 4.94
Median: 2.42
Q1: 1.21
Min: 0.38

GS’s P/B Ratio of 1.75 is within the conventional range for the Capital Markets 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.

ETN vs. GS: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Electrical Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	ETN	GS
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	35.19	14.53
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.46	1.79
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	7.51	1.75
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	42.24	4.40