FER vs. GWW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at FER and GWW, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | FER | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Ferrovial SE | W.W. Grainger, Inc. |
| Country | Netherlands | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Construction & Engineering | Trading Companies & Distributors |
| Market Capitalization | 39.01 billion USD | 46.97 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | August 13, 2012 | February 21, 1973 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of FER 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 | FER | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.61% | 4.20% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 4.65% | -8.00% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 11.20% | -6.05% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 23.92% | 2.36% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.29% | -5.53% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 12.02% | -6.83% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.53M | 0.42M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.69M | 0.29M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 14.08% | 27.65% |
| Beta | 0.89 | 1.19 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
FER
56.21%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 29.61%
- Q3
- 17.18%
- Median
- 10.42%
- Q1
- 8.10%
- Min
- -0.10%
FER’s Return on Equity of 56.21% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Construction & Engineering industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
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)
FER
35.99%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 11.14%
- Q3
- 6.17%
- Median
- 3.85%
- Q1
- 2.40%
- Min
- -0.05%
FER’s Net Profit Margin of 35.99% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Construction & Engineering industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
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)
FER
34.91%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 17.56%
- Q3
- 9.36%
- Median
- 5.46%
- Q1
- 3.47%
- Min
- -1.93%
FER’s Operating Profit Margin of 34.91% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Construction & Engineering industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
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 | FER | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 56.21% | 54.86% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 12.11% | 21.63% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 35.99% | 10.99% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 34.91% | 15.27% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 87.83% | 39.25% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
FER
0.94
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 1.98
- Q3
- 1.53
- Median
- 1.24
- Q1
- 1.05
- Min
- 0.66
FER’s Current Ratio of 0.94 falls into the lower quartile for the Construction & Engineering industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
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)
FER
1.95
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 2.49
- Q3
- 1.19
- Median
- 0.63
- Q1
- 0.29
- Min
- 0.00
FER’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Construction & Engineering industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.95. 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)
FER
9.20
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 23.59
- Q3
- 14.49
- Median
- 8.20
- Q1
- 5.26
- Min
- -6.49
FER’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 9.20 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Construction & Engineering 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 | FER | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.94 | 2.82 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.86 | 1.53 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.95 | 0.64 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 9.20 | 34.56 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
FER
0.37%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 6.28%
- Q3
- 3.25%
- Median
- 2.02%
- Q1
- 0.23%
- Min
- 0.00%
FER’s Dividend Yield of 0.37% is consistent with its peers in the Construction & Engineering industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
GWW
0.96%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.99%
- Q3
- 3.04%
- Median
- 1.94%
- Q1
- 1.22%
- Min
- 0.00%
GWW’s Dividend Yield of 0.96% 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)
FER
3.63%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 139.17%
- Q3
- 69.47%
- Median
- 40.99%
- Q1
- 10.51%
- Min
- 0.00%
FER’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 3.63% is in the lower quartile for the Construction & Engineering industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
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 | FER | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.37% | 0.96% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 3.63% | 22.89% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
FER
9.68
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 36.96
- Q3
- 24.81
- Median
- 15.45
- Q1
- 12.51
- Min
- 2.74
In the lower quartile for the Construction & Engineering industry, FER’s P/E Ratio of 9.68 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
GWW
23.95
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 23.95 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)
FER
3.48
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 3.22
- Q3
- 1.63
- Median
- 0.61
- Q1
- 0.48
- Min
- 0.11
With a P/S Ratio of 3.48, FER trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Construction & Engineering industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
GWW
2.63
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 2.63 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)
FER
5.63
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 5.74
- Q3
- 3.33
- Median
- 1.49
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.23
FER’s P/B Ratio of 5.63 is in the upper tier for the Construction & Engineering 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
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 | FER | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 9.68 | 23.95 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.48 | 2.63 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.63 | 13.60 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 28.40 | 32.51 |