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GWW vs. MMM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

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Here’s a clear look at GWW and MMM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

SymbolGWWMMM
Company NameW.W. Grainger, Inc.3M Company
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorIndustrialsIndustrials
GICS IndustryTrading Companies & DistributorsIndustrial Conglomerates
Market Capitalization46.26 billion USD83.09 billion USD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateFebruary 21, 1973January 2, 1962
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of GWW and MMM 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.

GWW vs. MMM: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolGWWMMM
5-Day Price Return1.41%-1.76%
13-Week Price Return-7.47%0.01%
26-Week Price Return-0.64%11.64%
52-Week Price Return-5.44%15.68%
Month-to-Date Return1.49%0.53%
Year-to-Date Return-8.24%20.85%
10-Day Avg. Volume0.25M2.34M
3-Month Avg. Volume0.30M3.13M
3-Month Volatility27.61%23.16%
Beta1.131.07

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

GWW

54.86%

Trading Companies & Distributors Industry

Max
32.99%
Q3
19.66%
Median
13.72%
Q1
9.74%
Min
-0.34%

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.

MMM

91.40%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max
21.93%
Q3
13.64%
Median
9.41%
Q1
5.80%
Min
-3.73%

MMM’s Return on Equity of 91.40% 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.

GWW vs. MMM: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Trading Companies & Distributors and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

GWW

10.99%

Trading Companies & Distributors Industry

Max
16.11%
Q3
9.48%
Median
5.89%
Q1
3.68%
Min
-1.09%

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.

MMM

16.01%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max
26.43%
Q3
13.08%
Median
9.39%
Q1
3.21%
Min
-2.43%

A Net Profit Margin of 16.01% places MMM in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

GWW vs. MMM: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Trading Companies & Distributors and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

GWW

15.27%

Trading Companies & Distributors Industry

Max
26.26%
Q3
14.59%
Median
7.05%
Q1
4.94%
Min
-8.06%

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.

MMM

19.46%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max
27.02%
Q3
17.23%
Median
12.90%
Q1
8.32%
Min
-3.91%

An Operating Profit Margin of 19.46% places MMM in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

GWW vs. MMM: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Trading Companies & Distributors and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolGWWMMM
Return on Equity (TTM)54.86%91.40%
Return on Assets (TTM)21.63%9.93%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)10.99%16.01%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)15.27%19.46%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)39.25%41.11%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

GWW

2.82

Trading Companies & Distributors Industry

Max
3.32
Q3
2.27
Median
1.60
Q1
1.41
Min
0.26

GWW’s Current Ratio of 2.82 is in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

MMM

1.72

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max
2.40
Q3
1.69
Median
1.35
Q1
1.14
Min
0.56

MMM’s Current Ratio of 1.72 is in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

GWW vs. MMM: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Trading Companies & Distributors and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

GWW

0.64

Trading Companies & Distributors Industry

Max
1.93
Q3
1.24
Median
0.79
Q1
0.61
Min
0.01

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.

MMM

3.06

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max
2.27
Q3
1.49
Median
0.91
Q1
0.63
Min
0.24

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.06, MMM operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Industrial Conglomerates industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.

GWW vs. MMM: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Trading Companies & Distributors and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

GWW

34.56

Trading Companies & Distributors Industry

Max
15.13
Q3
7.93
Median
5.67
Q1
2.04
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.

MMM

-15.31

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max
19.80
Q3
10.68
Median
4.59
Q1
2.73
Min
-2.15

MMM has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -15.31. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

GWW vs. MMM: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Trading Companies & Distributors and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolGWWMMM
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.821.72
Quick Ratio (MRQ)1.531.12
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)0.643.06
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)34.56-15.31

Growth

Revenue Growth

GWW vs. MMM: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

GWW vs. MMM: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

GWW

0.97%

Trading Companies & Distributors Industry

Max
5.25%
Q3
2.95%
Median
2.06%
Q1
1.11%
Min
0.00%

GWW’s Dividend Yield of 0.97% 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.

MMM

1.88%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max
9.82%
Q3
5.04%
Median
3.09%
Q1
1.67%
Min
0.00%

MMM’s Dividend Yield of 1.88% is consistent with its peers in the Industrial Conglomerates industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

GWW vs. MMM: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Trading Companies & Distributors and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

GWW

22.89%

Trading Companies & Distributors Industry

Max
136.12%
Q3
71.34%
Median
47.49%
Q1
22.56%
Min
0.00%

GWW’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 22.89% is within the typical range for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

MMM

39.27%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max
182.48%
Q3
97.89%
Median
55.48%
Q1
31.63%
Min
1.76%

MMM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 39.27% is within the typical range for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

GWW vs. MMM: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Trading Companies & Distributors and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolGWWMMM
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.97%1.88%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)22.89%39.27%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

GWW

23.66

Trading Companies & Distributors Industry

Max
42.69
Q3
25.21
Median
16.99
Q1
13.13
Min
5.35

GWW’s P/E Ratio of 23.66 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.

MMM

20.94

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max
45.17
Q3
25.68
Median
15.16
Q1
8.58
Min
0.79

MMM’s P/E Ratio of 20.94 is within the middle range for the Industrial Conglomerates 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 vs. MMM: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Trading Companies & Distributors and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

GWW

2.60

Trading Companies & Distributors Industry

Max
4.90
Q3
2.71
Median
1.06
Q1
0.70
Min
0.30

GWW’s P/S Ratio of 2.60 aligns with the market consensus for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

MMM

3.35

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max
4.18
Q3
2.15
Median
0.69
Q1
0.41
Min
0.09

MMM’s P/S Ratio of 3.35 is in the upper echelon for the Industrial Conglomerates 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.

GWW vs. MMM: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Trading Companies & Distributors and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

GWW

13.60

Trading Companies & Distributors Industry

Max
7.55
Q3
4.63
Median
2.09
Q1
1.30
Min
0.31

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.

MMM

18.90

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max
5.44
Q3
2.68
Median
0.97
Q1
0.52
Min
0.04

At 18.90, MMM’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.

GWW vs. MMM: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Trading Companies & Distributors and Industrial Conglomerates industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolGWWMMM
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)23.6620.94
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)2.603.35
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)13.6018.90
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)32.1130.88