GGG vs. ULS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at GGG and ULS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | GGG | ULS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Graco Inc. | UL Solutions Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Machinery | Professional Services |
| Market Capitalization | 14.39 billion USD | 12.58 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 | April 12, 2024 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of GGG and ULS 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 | GGG | ULS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.72% | -6.16% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 2.74% | -11.79% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -0.40% | 12.68% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 6.36% | 16.18% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 3.41% | -14.35% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 3.03% | 25.56% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.69M | 0.94M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.77M | 0.89M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 19.04% | 35.46% |
| Beta | 1.08 | 0.52 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
GGG
19.16%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 34.68%
- Q3
- 19.06%
- Median
- 13.13%
- Q1
- 8.53%
- Min
- -4.87%
In the upper quartile for the Machinery industry, GGG’s Return on Equity of 19.16% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
ULS
34.07%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 52.17%
- Q3
- 30.06%
- Median
- 22.21%
- Q1
- 11.67%
- Min
- -13.44%
In the upper quartile for the Professional Services industry, ULS’s Return on Equity of 34.07% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
GGG
22.26%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 19.74%
- Q3
- 11.24%
- Median
- 8.13%
- Q1
- 5.38%
- Min
- -1.11%
GGG’s Net Profit Margin of 22.26% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Machinery industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
ULS
11.08%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 26.06%
- Q3
- 13.34%
- Median
- 7.88%
- Q1
- 3.50%
- Min
- -2.93%
ULS’s Net Profit Margin of 11.08% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Professional Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
GGG
26.63%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 26.63%
- Q3
- 16.15%
- Median
- 11.27%
- Q1
- 7.72%
- Min
- -4.91%
An Operating Profit Margin of 26.63% places GGG in the upper quartile for the Machinery industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
ULS
16.71%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 35.84%
- Q3
- 19.38%
- Median
- 12.54%
- Q1
- 7.36%
- Min
- -5.21%
ULS’s Operating Profit Margin of 16.71% is around the midpoint for the Professional Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | GGG | ULS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 19.16% | 34.07% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 15.86% | 11.40% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 22.26% | 11.08% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 26.63% | 16.71% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 52.25% | 48.53% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
GGG
3.55
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 3.83
- Q3
- 2.32
- Median
- 1.72
- Q1
- 1.28
- Min
- 0.78
GGG’s Current Ratio of 3.55 is in the upper quartile for the Machinery industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
ULS
1.32
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.45
- Q3
- 1.65
- Median
- 1.26
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.47
ULS’s Current Ratio of 1.32 aligns with the median group of the Professional Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
GGG
0.01
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 1.49
- Q3
- 0.75
- Median
- 0.44
- Q1
- 0.26
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Machinery industry, GGG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.01 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
ULS
0.56
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.63
- Q3
- 1.44
- Median
- 0.91
- Q1
- 0.49
- Min
- 0.00
ULS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.56 is typical for the Professional Services 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)
GGG
209.37
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 67.55
- Q3
- 33.79
- Median
- 13.87
- Q1
- 7.97
- Min
- -1.43
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 209.37, GGG demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Machinery industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
ULS
11.92
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 39.67
- Q3
- 20.05
- Median
- 11.07
- Q1
- 5.36
- Min
- -2.22
ULS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 11.92 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Professional Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | GGG | ULS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 3.55 | 1.32 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.52 | 1.32 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.01 | 0.56 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 209.37 | 11.92 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
GGG
1.26%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 5.32%
- Q3
- 2.84%
- Median
- 1.87%
- Q1
- 1.09%
- Min
- 0.00%
GGG’s Dividend Yield of 1.26% is consistent with its peers in the Machinery industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
ULS
0.76%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 5.28%
- Q3
- 2.51%
- Median
- 1.63%
- Q1
- 0.62%
- Min
- 0.00%
ULS’s Dividend Yield of 0.76% is consistent with its peers in the Professional Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
GGG
36.94%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 202.17%
- Q3
- 98.65%
- Median
- 55.54%
- Q1
- 29.03%
- Min
- 0.00%
GGG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 36.94% is within the typical range for the Machinery industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
ULS
31.19%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 109.23%
- Q3
- 64.39%
- Median
- 47.00%
- Q1
- 20.35%
- Min
- 0.00%
ULS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 31.19% is within the typical range for the Professional Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | GGG | ULS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.26% | 0.76% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 36.94% | 31.19% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
GGG
29.39
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 53.66
- Q3
- 31.29
- Median
- 22.00
- Q1
- 16.18
- Min
- 7.00
GGG’s P/E Ratio of 29.39 is within the middle range for the Machinery industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
ULS
41.10
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 49.59
- Q3
- 36.59
- Median
- 28.13
- Q1
- 18.55
- Min
- 10.07
A P/E Ratio of 41.10 places ULS in the upper quartile for the Professional Services industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
GGG
6.54
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 5.04
- Q3
- 2.72
- Median
- 1.67
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.24
With a P/S Ratio of 6.54, GGG trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Machinery industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
ULS
4.55
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 9.54
- Q3
- 5.11
- Median
- 2.10
- Q1
- 0.75
- Min
- 0.11
ULS’s P/S Ratio of 4.55 aligns with the market consensus for the Professional Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
GGG
5.76
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 7.23
- Q3
- 3.90
- Median
- 2.52
- Q1
- 1.47
- Min
- 0.49
GGG’s P/B Ratio of 5.76 is in the upper tier for the Machinery 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.
ULS
13.37
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 13.75
- Q3
- 8.87
- Median
- 4.35
- Q1
- 2.43
- Min
- 0.54
ULS’s P/B Ratio of 13.37 is in the upper tier for the Professional Services 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | GGG | ULS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 29.39 | 41.10 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 6.54 | 4.55 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.76 | 13.37 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 23.31 | 36.92 |