GWW vs. PWR: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at GWW and PWR, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | GWW | PWR |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | W.W. Grainger, Inc. | Quanta Services, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Trading Companies & Distributors | Construction & Engineering |
| Market Capitalization | 45.76 billion USD | 62.76 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | February 21, 1973 | February 12, 1998 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of GWW and PWR 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 | PWR |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.91% | 2.95% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -8.94% | 8.97% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -3.16% | 65.70% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -7.85% | 40.82% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.38% | 1.63% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -9.25% | 33.26% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.27M | 0.94M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.30M | 1.06M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 27.87% | 25.03% |
| Beta | 1.13 | 1.15 |
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.
PWR
13.09%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 26.79%
- Q3
- 16.47%
- Median
- 10.66%
- Q1
- 8.46%
- Min
- -1.86%
PWR’s Return on Equity of 13.09% is on par with the norm for the Construction & Engineering industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
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.
PWR
3.73%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 11.67%
- Q3
- 6.13%
- Median
- 3.82%
- Q1
- 2.31%
- Min
- -2.77%
PWR’s Net Profit Margin of 3.73% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Construction & Engineering industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
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.
PWR
5.73%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 17.78%
- Q3
- 9.61%
- Median
- 6.19%
- Q1
- 3.73%
- Min
- -1.78%
PWR’s Operating Profit Margin of 5.73% is around the midpoint for the Construction & Engineering industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | GWW | PWR |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 54.86% | 13.09% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 21.63% | 5.08% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.99% | 3.73% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.27% | 5.73% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 39.25% | 15.04% |
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.
PWR
1.37
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 2.17
- Q3
- 1.50
- Median
- 1.23
- Q1
- 1.00
- Min
- 0.65
PWR’s Current Ratio of 1.37 aligns with the median group of the Construction & Engineering industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
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.
PWR
0.60
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 2.37
- Q3
- 1.24
- Median
- 0.62
- Q1
- 0.31
- Min
- 0.00
PWR’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.60 is typical for the Construction & Engineering 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)
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.
PWR
10.76
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 36.37
- Q3
- 17.88
- Median
- 8.20
- Q1
- 4.98
- Min
- -6.49
PWR’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 10.76 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Construction & Engineering industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | GWW | PWR |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.82 | 1.37 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.53 | 1.24 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.64 | 0.60 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 34.56 | 10.76 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
GWW
0.96%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 5.25%
- Q3
- 2.95%
- Median
- 2.06%
- Q1
- 1.11%
- Min
- 0.00%
GWW’s Dividend Yield of 0.96% 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.
PWR
0.09%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 5.80%
- Q3
- 3.33%
- Median
- 2.22%
- Q1
- 0.21%
- Min
- 0.00%
PWR’s Dividend Yield of 0.09% is in the lower quartile for the Construction & Engineering 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
- 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.
PWR
5.92%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 139.17%
- Q3
- 74.39%
- Median
- 51.48%
- Q1
- 15.67%
- Min
- 0.00%
PWR’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 5.92% is in the lower quartile for the Construction & Engineering industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | GWW | PWR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.96% | 0.09% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 22.89% | 5.92% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
GWW
23.88
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 23.88 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.
PWR
63.96
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 41.00
- Q3
- 26.91
- Median
- 16.02
- Q1
- 13.49
- Min
- 1.65
At 63.96, PWR’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Construction & Engineering industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
GWW
2.63
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 2.63 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.
PWR
2.39
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 2.93
- Q3
- 1.65
- Median
- 0.71
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.11
PWR’s P/S Ratio of 2.39 is in the upper echelon for the Construction & Engineering 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
- 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.
PWR
7.13
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 7.96
- Q3
- 4.06
- Median
- 1.98
- Q1
- 1.23
- Min
- 0.24
PWR’s P/B Ratio of 7.13 is in the upper tier for the Construction & Engineering 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 | GWW | PWR |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 23.88 | 63.96 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.63 | 2.39 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 13.60 | 7.13 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 32.41 | 45.76 |