GE vs. UPS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at GE and UPS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | GE | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | GE Aerospace | United Parcel Service, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Industrial Conglomerates | Air Freight & Logistics |
| Market Capitalization | 282.72 billion USD | 74.37 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | November 10, 1999 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of GE and UPS 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 | GE | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.26% | -0.07% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 15.78% | -9.52% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 26.66% | -23.70% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 57.13% | -30.83% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -1.65% | 1.83% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 59.85% | -30.42% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 4.36M | 8.84M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 6.05M | 6.45M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 23.57% | 31.30% |
| Beta | 1.53 | 1.10 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
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.
UPS
35.27%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 35.27%
- Q3
- 18.47%
- Median
- 11.35%
- Q1
- 7.21%
- Min
- 2.53%
In the upper quartile for the Air Freight & Logistics industry, UPS’s Return on Equity of 35.27% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
UPS
6.34%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 10.27%
- Q3
- 6.18%
- Median
- 3.96%
- Q1
- 2.32%
- Min
- 0.61%
A Net Profit Margin of 6.34% places UPS in the upper quartile for the Air Freight & Logistics industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
UPS
9.30%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 17.40%
- Q3
- 8.87%
- Median
- 5.89%
- Q1
- 3.03%
- Min
- 0.62%
An Operating Profit Margin of 9.30% places UPS in the upper quartile for the Air Freight & Logistics 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 | GE | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 40.51% | 35.27% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 6.22% | 8.25% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.64% | 6.34% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.53% | 9.30% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 35.97% | 81.60% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
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.
UPS
1.32
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 1.83
- Q3
- 1.47
- Median
- 1.29
- Q1
- 1.05
- Min
- 0.62
UPS’s Current Ratio of 1.32 aligns with the median group of the Air Freight & Logistics industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
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.
UPS
1.57
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 1.57
- Q3
- 1.06
- Median
- 0.72
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
UPS’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Air Freight & Logistics industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.57. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
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.
UPS
9.59
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 49.07
- Q3
- 23.59
- Median
- 8.56
- Q1
- 5.97
- Min
- -0.60
UPS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 9.59 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Air Freight & Logistics industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | GE | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.04 | 1.32 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.73 | 1.32 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.99 | 1.57 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 5.01 | 9.59 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
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.
UPS
7.29%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 6.43%
- Q3
- 3.10%
- Median
- 2.40%
- Q1
- 0.46%
- Min
- 0.00%
UPS’s Dividend Yield of 7.29% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Air Freight & Logistics industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
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.
UPS
94.15%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 160.95%
- Q3
- 92.80%
- Median
- 54.10%
- Q1
- 0.19%
- Min
- 0.00%
UPS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 94.15% is in the upper quartile for the Air Freight & Logistics industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | GE | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.46% | 7.29% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 16.78% | 94.15% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
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.
UPS
12.92
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 34.55
- Q3
- 23.34
- Median
- 16.33
- Q1
- 13.38
- Min
- 6.36
In the lower quartile for the Air Freight & Logistics industry, UPS’s P/E Ratio of 12.92 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
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.
UPS
0.82
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 2.13
- Q3
- 1.16
- Median
- 0.59
- Q1
- 0.36
- Min
- 0.18
UPS’s P/S Ratio of 0.82 aligns with the market consensus for the Air Freight & Logistics industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
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.
UPS
5.43
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 3.13
- Q3
- 2.81
- Median
- 1.82
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.74
At 5.43, UPS’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Air Freight & Logistics 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 | GE | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 36.39 | 12.92 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 6.78 | 0.82 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 14.26 | 5.43 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 51.39 | 13.77 |