GPC vs. GWW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at GPC and GWW, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | GPC | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Genuine Parts Company | W.W. Grainger, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Distributors | Trading Companies & Distributors |
| Market Capitalization | 19.05 billion USD | 47.81 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 | February 21, 1973 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of GPC 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 | GPC | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.57% | 2.57% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 6.12% | -9.16% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 9.87% | -2.74% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -1.22% | 4.33% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 6.29% | -3.84% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 17.33% | -5.16% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.91M | 0.29M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.22M | 0.28M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 23.84% | 26.99% |
| Beta | 0.78 | 1.20 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
GPC
17.79%
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 18.85%
- Q3
- 17.85%
- Median
- 13.11%
- Q1
- 11.23%
- Min
- 11.19%
GPC’s Return on Equity of 17.79% is on par with the norm for the Distributors industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
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)
GPC
3.40%
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 5.04%
- Q3
- 4.92%
- Median
- 4.56%
- Q1
- 4.55%
- Min
- 4.54%
GPC’s Net Profit Margin of 3.40% is below the typical range for the Distributors industry. This suggests the company may be facing challenges with cost control or operating in a highly competitive environment that limits its pricing power.
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)
GPC
4.95%
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 11.14%
- Q3
- 7.80%
- Median
- 5.53%
- Q1
- 3.65%
- Min
- 3.17%
GPC’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.95% is around the midpoint for the Distributors industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
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 | GPC | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 17.79% | 54.86% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.06% | 21.63% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.40% | 10.99% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 4.95% | 15.27% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 36.88% | 39.25% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
GPC
1.14
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.81
- Q3
- 1.72
- Median
- 1.48
- Q1
- 1.24
- Min
- 1.15
GPC’s Current Ratio of 1.14 is notably low, falling beneath the typical range for the Distributors industry. This suggests a heightened liquidity risk and could indicate potential challenges in meeting its short-term obligations.
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)
GPC
1.02
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.09
- Q3
- 0.98
- Median
- 0.75
- Q1
- 0.52
- Min
- 0.46
GPC’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Distributors industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.02. 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)
GPC
13.15
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 13.15
- Q3
- 10.84
- Median
- 5.59
- Q1
- 4.01
- Min
- 3.80
GPC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 13.15 is in the upper quartile for the 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
- 5.75
- 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 | GPC | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.14 | 2.82 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.49 | 1.53 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.02 | 0.64 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 13.15 | 34.56 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
GPC
2.93%
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 44.83%
- Q3
- 35.02%
- Median
- 4.81%
- Q1
- 3.26%
- Min
- 1.54%
GPC’s Dividend Yield of 2.93% is in the lower quartile for the Distributors industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
GWW
0.92%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.99%
- Q3
- 3.04%
- Median
- 1.94%
- Q1
- 1.22%
- Min
- 0.00%
GWW’s Dividend Yield of 0.92% 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)
GPC
69.26%
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1,122.47%
- Q3
- 858.23%
- Median
- 55.08%
- Q1
- 44.32%
- Min
- 34.92%
GPC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 69.26% is within the typical range for the Distributors industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
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 | GPC | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.93% | 0.92% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 69.26% | 22.89% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
GPC
23.67
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 28.99
- Q3
- 25.04
- Median
- 23.42
- Q1
- 13.71
- Min
- 6.24
GPC’s P/E Ratio of 23.67 is within the middle range for the 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.
GWW
24.84
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 24.84 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)
GPC
0.81
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.14
- Q3
- 1.14
- Median
- 0.96
- Q1
- 0.61
- Min
- 0.28
GPC’s P/S Ratio of 0.81 aligns with the market consensus for the Distributors industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
GWW
2.73
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 2.73 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)
GPC
3.58
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 3.72
- Q3
- 3.57
- Median
- 3.12
- Q1
- 2.41
- Min
- 1.47
GPC’s P/B Ratio of 3.58 is in the upper tier for the 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
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 | GPC | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 23.67 | 24.84 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.81 | 2.73 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.58 | 13.60 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 43.61 | 33.72 |