FERG vs. GWW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at FERG and GWW, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | FERG | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Ferguson Enterprises Inc. | W.W. Grainger, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Trading Companies & Distributors | Trading Companies & Distributors |
| Market Capitalization | 48.15 billion USD | 44.26 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 5, 2010 | February 21, 1973 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of FERG 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 | FERG | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -7.26% | -2.50% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 1.98% | -4.51% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 34.60% | -13.14% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 15.98% | -22.94% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -5.15% | -5.39% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 35.79% | -12.13% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.85M | 0.26M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.64M | 0.32M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 31.74% | 18.13% |
| Beta | 1.14 | 1.15 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
FERG
32.99%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 32.99%
- Q3
- 19.30%
- Median
- 12.90%
- Q1
- 9.19%
- Min
- -4.19%
In the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, FERG’s Return on Equity of 32.99% 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
- 19.30%
- 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)
FERG
6.03%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 18.35%
- Q3
- 9.73%
- Median
- 6.00%
- Q1
- 3.53%
- Min
- -3.81%
FERG’s Net Profit Margin of 6.03% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Trading Companies & Distributors 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)
FERG
8.47%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 25.07%
- Q3
- 13.61%
- Median
- 7.26%
- Q1
- 4.79%
- Min
- -7.51%
FERG’s Operating Profit Margin of 8.47% is around the midpoint for the Trading Companies & Distributors 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 | FERG | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 32.99% | 49.17% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.86% | 19.62% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 6.03% | 9.75% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.47% | 14.05% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 30.67% | 39.09% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
FERG
1.68
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 3.62
- Q3
- 2.33
- Median
- 1.57
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.27
FERG’s Current Ratio of 1.68 aligns with the median group of the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
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)
FERG
0.71
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.93
- Q3
- 1.19
- Median
- 0.78
- Q1
- 0.54
- Min
- 0.00
FERG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.71 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.
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)
FERG
13.75
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 15.13
- Q3
- 7.93
- Median
- 5.62
- Q1
- 1.79
- Min
- -1.67
FERG’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 13.75 is in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
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 | FERG | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.68 | 2.72 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.78 | 1.49 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.71 | 0.67 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 13.75 | 34.56 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
FERG
1.04%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 5.11%
- Q3
- 2.73%
- Median
- 2.07%
- Q1
- 1.04%
- Min
- 0.00%
FERG’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.
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)
FERG
35.28%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 136.12%
- Q3
- 68.26%
- Median
- 48.45%
- Q1
- 22.66%
- Min
- 0.00%
FERG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 35.28% is within the typical range for the Trading Companies & Distributors 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 | FERG | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.04% | 1.04% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 35.28% | 26.47% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
FERG
25.27
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 37.92
- Q3
- 24.64
- Median
- 17.42
- Q1
- 14.27
- Min
- 5.07
A P/E Ratio of 25.27 places FERG 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.
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)
FERG
1.52
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.94
- Q3
- 2.49
- Median
- 1.08
- Q1
- 0.75
- Min
- 0.30
FERG’s P/S Ratio of 1.52 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.
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)
FERG
7.55
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 9.42
- Q3
- 4.66
- Median
- 2.10
- Q1
- 1.34
- Min
- 0.31
FERG’s P/B Ratio of 7.55 is in the upper tier for the Trading Companies & Distributors 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
- 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 | FERG | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 25.27 | 25.46 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.52 | 2.48 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 7.55 | 12.80 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 29.26 | 35.75 |