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 | 44.26 billion USD | 64.14 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 | -2.50% | 0.11% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -4.51% | 13.64% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -13.14% | 24.68% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -22.94% | 29.93% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -5.39% | -4.31% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -12.13% | 35.98% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.26M | 1.07M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.32M | 1.07M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 18.13% | 33.20% |
| Beta | 1.15 | 1.16 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
GWW
49.17%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 32.99%
- Q3
- 19.30%
- Median
- 12.90%
- Q1
- 9.19%
- Min
- -4.19%
GWW’s Return on Equity of 49.17% 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
13.12%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 26.79%
- Q3
- 16.67%
- Median
- 11.05%
- Q1
- 8.46%
- Min
- -2.38%
PWR’s Return on Equity of 13.12% 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
9.75%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 18.35%
- Q3
- 9.73%
- Median
- 6.00%
- Q1
- 3.53%
- Min
- -3.81%
A Net Profit Margin of 9.75% 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
3.74%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 11.67%
- Q3
- 6.49%
- Median
- 3.88%
- Q1
- 2.38%
- Min
- -2.27%
PWR’s Net Profit Margin of 3.74% 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
14.05%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 25.07%
- Q3
- 13.61%
- Median
- 7.26%
- Q1
- 4.79%
- Min
- -7.51%
An Operating Profit Margin of 14.05% 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
5.81%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 17.78%
- Q3
- 9.70%
- Median
- 5.84%
- Q1
- 3.94%
- Min
- -1.78%
PWR’s Operating Profit Margin of 5.81% 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) | 49.17% | 13.12% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 19.62% | 5.06% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 9.75% | 3.74% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.05% | 5.81% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 39.09% | 15.16% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
GWW
2.72
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 3.62
- Q3
- 2.33
- Median
- 1.57
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.27
GWW’s Current Ratio of 2.72 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
1.34
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 2.26
- Q3
- 1.54
- Median
- 1.25
- Q1
- 0.99
- Min
- 0.65
PWR’s Current Ratio of 1.34 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
0.67
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.93
- Q3
- 1.19
- Median
- 0.78
- Q1
- 0.54
- Min
- 0.00
GWW’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.67 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
0.67
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 2.54
- Q3
- 1.33
- Median
- 0.64
- Q1
- 0.29
- Min
- 0.00
PWR’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.67 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
- 5.62
- Q1
- 1.79
- 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
- 30.69
- Q3
- 15.27
- Median
- 7.88
- Q1
- 4.27
- 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) | 2.72 | 1.34 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.49 | 1.23 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.67 | 0.67 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 34.56 | 10.76 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
GWW
1.04%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 5.11%
- Q3
- 2.73%
- Median
- 2.07%
- Q1
- 1.04%
- Min
- 0.00%
GWW’s Dividend Yield of 1.04% is consistent with its peers in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
PWR
0.09%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 5.80%
- Q3
- 3.25%
- Median
- 1.76%
- Q1
- 0.17%
- 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
26.47%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 136.12%
- Q3
- 68.26%
- Median
- 48.45%
- Q1
- 22.66%
- Min
- 0.00%
GWW’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 26.47% is within the typical range for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
PWR
5.78%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 144.77%
- Q3
- 74.39%
- Median
- 50.47%
- Q1
- 8.02%
- Min
- 0.00%
PWR’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 5.78% 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) | 1.04% | 0.09% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 26.47% | 5.78% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
GWW
25.46
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 37.92
- Q3
- 24.64
- Median
- 17.42
- Q1
- 14.27
- Min
- 5.07
A P/E Ratio of 25.46 places GWW in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
PWR
62.95
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 39.16
- Q3
- 24.60
- Median
- 17.05
- Q1
- 13.85
- Min
- 1.65
At 62.95, 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
2.48
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.94
- Q3
- 2.49
- Median
- 1.08
- Q1
- 0.75
- Min
- 0.30
GWW’s P/S Ratio of 2.48 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
2.36
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 2.86
- Q3
- 1.52
- Median
- 0.80
- Q1
- 0.48
- Min
- 0.12
PWR’s P/S Ratio of 2.36 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
12.80
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 9.42
- Q3
- 4.66
- Median
- 2.10
- Q1
- 1.34
- Min
- 0.31
At 12.80, 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
7.36
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 7.53
- Q3
- 3.97
- Median
- 1.90
- Q1
- 1.22
- Min
- 0.24
PWR’s P/B Ratio of 7.36 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) | 25.46 | 62.95 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.48 | 2.36 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 12.80 | 7.36 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 35.75 | 51.19 |