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GGG vs. GWW: Graco vs. W.W. Grainger Stock Comparison

How do Graco (GGG) and W.W. Grainger (GWW) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Graco (GGG) and W.W. Grainger (GWW) both fall under the Capital Goods industry group, but GGG is classified in Machinery while GWW is classified in Trading Companies & Distributors.

Company profile comparison for Graco (GGG) and W.W. Grainger (GWW)
Profile ItemGGGGWW
NameGraco Inc.W.W. Grainger Inc.
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorIndustrialsIndustrials
GICS Industry GroupCapital GoodsCapital Goods
GICS IndustryMachineryTrading Companies & Distributors
GICS Sub-IndustryIndustrial Machinery & Supplies & ComponentsTrading Companies & Distributors
Market Capitalization10.88 billion USD67.45 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateMarch 17, 1980February 21, 1973
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

GGG
GWW
GSPC
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Graco (GGG) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Graco (GGG) and W.W. Grainger (GWW). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Graco (GGG) and W.W. Grainger (GWW). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Graco (GGG) and W.W. Grainger (GWW)
MetricGGGGWW
Total Return (1Y)-12.76%54.07%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)-1.59%24.16%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)-1.14%25.95%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

GGG
GWW
GSPC
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Graco (GGG) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Graco (GGG) and W.W. Grainger (GWW). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Graco (GGG) and W.W. Grainger (GWW)
MetricGGGGWW
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)26.08%24.49%
Beta (5Y)0.870.93
Max Drawdown (5Y)-29.55%-24.50%
Avg. Volume (3M)1.99M250.35K

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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GGG and GWW are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Graco (GGG) and W.W. Grainger (GWW)
MetricGGGGWW
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)-0.652.03
Sortino Ratio (1Y)-0.803.31

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both companies show strong equity returns, but W.W. Grainger (GWW) at 52.33% is the standout with ROE above its industry range; Graco (GGG) at 20.38% also sits in the top quartile.

GGG

Capital Goods industry group

20.38%

Max
40.55%
GGG
20.38%
Q3
19.29%
Median
12.12%
Q1
4.08%
Min
-17.12%

GWW

Capital Goods industry group

52.33%

GWW
52.33%
Max
40.55%
Q3
19.29%
Median
12.12%
Q1
4.08%
Min
-17.12%
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Graco (GGG) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW): A comparison of their ROE against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Graco (GGG) at 22.40% retains a top-quartile share of revenue as profit, ahead of W.W. Grainger (GWW) at 11.17%, which keeps about the industry-typical share.

GGG

Capital Goods industry group

22.40%

Max
27.47%
GGG
22.40%
Q3
12.10%
Median
6.30%
Q1
1.40%
Min
-12.89%

GWW

Capital Goods industry group

11.17%

Max
27.47%
Q3
12.10%
GWW
11.17%
Median
6.30%
Q1
1.40%
Min
-12.89%
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Graco (GGG) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW): A comparison of their net margin against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Graco (GGG) at 25.26% operates in the top operating margin quartile, ahead of W.W. Grainger (GWW) at 16.14%, which runs around its industry’s norm.

GGG

Capital Goods industry group

25.26%

Max
36.60%
GGG
25.26%
Q3
18.33%
Median
11.12%
Q1
5.14%
Min
-12.63%

GWW

Capital Goods industry group

16.14%

Max
36.60%
Q3
18.33%
GWW
16.14%
Median
11.12%
Q1
5.14%
Min
-12.63%
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Graco (GGG) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW): A comparison of their operating margin against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Graco (GGG) and W.W. Grainger (GWW)
MetricGGGGWW
ROE (TTM)20.38%52.33%
ROA (TTM)12.02%20.34%
Net Margin (TTM)22.40%11.17%
Operating Margin (TTM)25.26%16.14%
Gross Margin (TTM)51.96%39.43%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both Graco (GGG) at 5.83% and W.W. Grainger (GWW) at 4.51% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

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Graco (GGG) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Both Graco (GGG) at 9.22% and W.W. Grainger (GWW) at -8.55% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

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Graco (GGG) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Graco (GGG) and W.W. Grainger (GWW)
MetricGGGGWW
Revenue Growth (YoY)5.83%4.51%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)1.43%5.62%
EPS Growth (YoY)9.22%-8.55%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)5.01%5.60%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Graco (GGG) at 2.13 and W.W. Grainger (GWW) at 2.61 carry current ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.

GGG

Capital Goods industry group

2.13

Max
5.22
Q3
2.95
GGG
2.13
Median
2.08
Q1
1.43
Min
0.36

GWW

Capital Goods industry group

2.61

Max
5.22
Q3
2.95
GWW
2.61
Median
2.08
Q1
1.43
Min
0.36
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Graco (GGG) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW): A comparison of their current ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Graco (GGG) at 0.07 keeps leverage in the lower industry quartile, while W.W. Grainger (GWW) at 0.65 runs a more typical debt-to-equity mix.

GGG

Capital Goods industry group

0.07

Max
2.33
Q3
1.12
Median
0.60
Q1
0.29
GGG
0.07
Min
0.00

GWW

Capital Goods industry group

0.65

Max
2.33
Q3
1.12
GWW
0.65
Median
0.60
Q1
0.29
Min
0.00
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Graco (GGG) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Graco (GGG) and W.W. Grainger (GWW)
MetricGGGGWW
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.132.61
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.070.65
Net Debt / EBITDA0.030.69

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Graco (GGG) at 1.74% delivers top-quartile income for its industry, while W.W. Grainger (GWW) at 0.65% pays a more typical yield — both are credible income propositions, GGG the richer one.

GGG

Capital Goods industry group

1.74%

Max
2.66%
GGG
1.74%
Q3
1.14%
Median
0.24%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

GWW

Capital Goods industry group

0.65%

Max
2.66%
Q3
1.14%
GWW
0.65%
Median
0.24%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Graco (GGG) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

W.W. Grainger (GWW) at 20.87% pays out a band-typical share of earnings, while Graco (GGG) at 37.42% distributes more than its industry norm — less retained, thinner cover.

GGG

Capital Goods industry group

37.42%

Max
67.39%
GGG
37.42%
Q3
28.02%
Median
6.86%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

GWW

Capital Goods industry group

20.87%

Max
67.39%
Q3
28.02%
GWW
20.87%
Median
6.86%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Graco (GGG) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Graco (GGG) and W.W. Grainger (GWW)
MetricGGGGWW
Dividend Yield (TTM)1.74%0.65%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)37.42%20.87%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Both Graco (GGG) at 21.89 and W.W. Grainger (GWW) at 31.66 land around their industries’ usual P/E ratio levels — neither is getting a clear earnings-multiple discount or premium versus peers.

GGG

Capital Goods industry group

21.89

Max
59.38
Q3
35.92
Median
25.41
GGG
21.89
Q1
19.47
Min
3.03

GWW

Capital Goods industry group

31.66

Max
59.38
Q3
35.92
GWW
31.66
Median
25.41
Q1
19.47
Min
3.03
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Graco (GGG) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

W.W. Grainger (GWW) at 3.48 is priced about in line with its industry on P/S ratio, while Graco (GGG) at 4.71 sits in the pricier quartile — GGG costs more per dollar of sales.

GGG

Capital Goods industry group

4.71

Max
7.54
GGG
4.71
Q3
3.76
Median
2.15
Q1
1.03
Min
0.03

GWW

Capital Goods industry group

3.48

Max
7.54
Q3
3.76
GWW
3.48
Median
2.15
Q1
1.03
Min
0.03
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Graco (GGG) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Graco (GGG) at 4.41 sits near its industry’s typical P/B ratio, while W.W. Grainger (GWW) at 15.56 prices above its benchmark range — GWW looks rich relative to book.

GGG

Capital Goods industry group

4.41

Max
9.66
Q3
5.00
GGG
4.41
Median
3.12
Q1
1.81
Min
-1.08

GWW

Capital Goods industry group

15.56

GWW
15.56
Max
9.66
Q3
5.00
Median
3.12
Q1
1.81
Min
-1.08
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Graco (GGG) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Graco (GGG) and W.W. Grainger (GWW)
MetricGGGGWW
P/E Ratio (TTM)21.8931.66
P/S Ratio (TTM)4.713.48
P/B Ratio (MRQ)4.4115.56
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)3.94%1.97%