GS vs. WMT: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at GS and WMT, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | GS | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | Walmart Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Financials | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry | Capital Markets | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail |
| Market Capitalization | 239.14 billion USD | 813.79 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 4, 1999 | August 25, 1972 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of GS and WMT 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 | GS | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.76% | -0.98% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 9.16% | 3.77% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 44.61% | 16.27% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 60.57% | 26.91% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.80% | -0.96% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 37.96% | 12.97% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.54M | 13.56M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.93M | 16.19M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 20.80% | 18.88% |
| Beta | 1.38 | 0.66 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
GS
12.67%
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 38.97%
- Q3
- 22.24%
- Median
- 13.52%
- Q1
- 8.61%
- Min
- -4.25%
GS’s Return on Equity of 12.67% is on par with the norm for the Capital Markets industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
WMT
24.18%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 36.53%
- Q3
- 21.48%
- Median
- 13.14%
- Q1
- 8.11%
- Min
- -9.87%
In the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, WMT’s Return on Equity of 24.18% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
GS
12.29%
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 69.91%
- Q3
- 37.24%
- Median
- 24.30%
- Q1
- 13.06%
- Min
- -15.18%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, GS’s Net Profit Margin of 12.29% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
WMT
3.08%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 7.25%
- Q3
- 3.98%
- Median
- 2.77%
- Q1
- 1.73%
- Min
- -0.70%
WMT’s Net Profit Margin of 3.08% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
GS
15.68%
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 84.86%
- Q3
- 47.16%
- Median
- 32.23%
- Q1
- 18.65%
- Min
- -21.87%
GS’s Operating Profit Margin of 15.68% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
WMT
4.18%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.42%
- Q3
- 5.61%
- Median
- 4.18%
- Q1
- 2.72%
- Min
- 0.23%
WMT’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.18% is around the midpoint for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | GS | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 12.67% | 24.18% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 0.89% | 8.07% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.29% | 3.08% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.68% | 4.18% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 38.58% | 24.90% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
GS
0.30
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 3.37
- Q3
- 1.81
- Median
- 1.01
- Q1
- 0.56
- Min
- 0.04
For the Capital Markets industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.
WMT
0.79
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.76
- Q3
- 1.28
- Median
- 0.98
- Q1
- 0.82
- Min
- 0.49
WMT’s Current Ratio of 0.79 falls into the lower quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
GS
9.08
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 6.52
- Q3
- 2.79
- Median
- 0.96
- Q1
- 0.28
- Min
- 0.00
The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Capital Markets industry.
WMT
0.56
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.61
- Q3
- 1.64
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
WMT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.56 is typical for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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)
GS
--
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 107.59
- Q3
- 48.41
- Median
- 10.85
- Q1
- 4.56
- Min
- -36.26
The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Capital Markets industry.
WMT
12.72
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 24.36
- Q3
- 13.75
- Median
- 5.79
- Q1
- 3.04
- Min
- -5.51
WMT’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 12.72 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | GS | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.30 | 0.79 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.30 | 0.19 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 9.08 | 0.56 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -- | 12.72 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
GS
1.96%
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 9.02%
- Q3
- 4.54%
- Median
- 2.55%
- Q1
- 1.27%
- Min
- 0.00%
GS’s Dividend Yield of 1.96% is consistent with its peers in the Capital Markets industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
WMT
0.87%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.08%
- Q3
- 3.33%
- Median
- 1.77%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WMT’s Dividend Yield of 0.87% is consistent with its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
GS
29.94%
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 199.38%
- Q3
- 99.28%
- Median
- 60.67%
- Q1
- 32.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
GS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 29.94% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
WMT
33.30%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 172.48%
- Q3
- 103.93%
- Median
- 54.70%
- Q1
- 24.82%
- Min
- 0.00%
WMT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 33.30% is within the typical range for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | GS | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.96% | 0.87% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 29.94% | 33.30% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
GS
15.27
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 51.69
- Q3
- 29.42
- Median
- 17.58
- Q1
- 12.55
- Min
- 5.59
GS’s P/E Ratio of 15.27 is within the middle range for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
WMT
38.31
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 47.99
- Q3
- 30.23
- Median
- 22.19
- Q1
- 16.85
- Min
- 4.52
A P/E Ratio of 38.31 places WMT in the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
GS
1.88
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 14.65
- Q3
- 7.29
- Median
- 4.53
- Q1
- 2.26
- Min
- 0.04
In the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, GS’s P/S Ratio of 1.88 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
WMT
1.18
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.79
- Q3
- 0.96
- Median
- 0.53
- Q1
- 0.37
- Min
- 0.06
WMT’s P/S Ratio of 1.18 is in the upper echelon for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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)
GS
1.75
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 10.83
- Q3
- 5.12
- Median
- 2.66
- Q1
- 1.19
- Min
- 0.37
GS’s P/B Ratio of 1.75 is within the conventional range for the Capital Markets industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
WMT
8.68
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 8.68
- Q3
- 4.97
- Median
- 2.98
- Q1
- 1.86
- Min
- 0.46
WMT’s P/B Ratio of 8.68 is in the upper tier for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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 | GS | WMT |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 15.27 | 38.31 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.88 | 1.18 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.75 | 8.68 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 4.62 | 59.45 |