GWW vs. MMM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at GWW and MMM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | GWW | MMM |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | W.W. Grainger, Inc. | 3M Company |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Trading Companies & Distributors | Industrial Conglomerates |
| Market Capitalization | 48.48 billion USD | 83.01 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | February 21, 1973 | January 2, 1962 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | GWW | MMM |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.81% | 0.98% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -6.00% | 4.05% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -0.74% | 3.76% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 3.71% | 21.19% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -2.51% | 4.44% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -3.85% | 20.73% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.30M | 2.99M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.28M | 3.40M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 27.57% | 23.22% |
| Beta | 1.20 | 1.04 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
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.
MMM
91.40%
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 21.93%
- Q3
- 14.23%
- Median
- 7.81%
- Q1
- 5.91%
- Min
- -3.58%
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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
MMM
16.01%
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 18.70%
- Q3
- 12.58%
- Median
- 9.26%
- Q1
- 3.87%
- Min
- -2.26%
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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
MMM
19.46%
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 25.69%
- Q3
- 17.03%
- Median
- 12.85%
- Q1
- 8.81%
- Min
- -0.73%
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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | GWW | MMM |
|---|---|---|
| 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
- 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.
MMM
1.72
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 2.19
- Q3
- 1.64
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- 0.61
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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
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.
MMM
3.06
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 2.27
- Q3
- 1.47
- Median
- 0.99
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.21
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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
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.
MMM
-15.31
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 11.17
- Q3
- 8.02
- Median
- 5.88
- 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.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | GWW | MMM |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.82 | 1.72 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.53 | 1.12 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.64 | 3.06 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 34.56 | -15.31 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
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.
MMM
1.88%
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 10.17%
- Q3
- 5.53%
- Median
- 3.14%
- Q1
- 1.88%
- Min
- 0.00%
MMM’s Dividend Yield of 1.88% is in the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
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.
MMM
39.27%
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 181.91%
- Q3
- 95.57%
- Median
- 50.60%
- Q1
- 35.01%
- 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | GWW | MMM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.92% | 1.88% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 22.89% | 39.27% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
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.
MMM
20.92
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 36.98
- Q3
- 22.09
- Median
- 12.18
- Q1
- 8.93
- Min
- 5.63
MMM’s P/E Ratio of 20.92 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
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.
MMM
3.35
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 3.60
- Q3
- 2.10
- Median
- 0.68
- Q1
- 0.42
- Min
- 0.11
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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
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.
MMM
18.90
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 4.89
- Q3
- 2.51
- Median
- 1.06
- Q1
- 0.60
- Min
- 0.27
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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | GWW | MMM |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 24.84 | 20.92 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.73 | 3.35 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 13.60 | 18.90 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 33.72 | 30.86 |