GWW vs. VRSK: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at GWW and VRSK, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | GWW | VRSK |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | W.W. Grainger, Inc. | Verisk Analytics, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Trading Companies & Distributors | Professional Services |
| Market Capitalization | 45.17 billion USD | 29.68 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | February 21, 1973 | October 7, 2009 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of GWW and VRSK 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 | VRSK |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.62% | -3.21% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 1.09% | -20.37% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -8.99% | -31.29% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -20.10% | -24.04% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -2.97% | -2.66% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -9.88% | -22.69% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.37M | 2.31M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.32M | 1.27M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 19.16% | 31.03% |
| Beta | 1.14 | 0.82 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
GWW
49.17%
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 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.
VRSK
404.39%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 68.01%
- Q3
- 35.32%
- Median
- 21.92%
- Q1
- 11.67%
- Min
- -20.25%
VRSK’s Return on Equity of 404.39% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Professional Services 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
9.75%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 16.11%
- Q3
- 9.48%
- Median
- 5.89%
- Q1
- 3.68%
- Min
- -1.09%
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.
VRSK
30.42%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 31.75%
- Q3
- 15.50%
- Median
- 8.95%
- Q1
- 4.51%
- Min
- 0.35%
A Net Profit Margin of 30.42% places VRSK in the upper quartile for the Professional Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
GWW
14.05%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 26.26%
- Q3
- 14.59%
- Median
- 7.05%
- Q1
- 4.94%
- Min
- -8.06%
GWW’s Operating Profit Margin of 14.05% is around the midpoint for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
VRSK
44.45%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 30.62%
- Q3
- 19.06%
- Median
- 13.60%
- Q1
- 8.60%
- Min
- -2.18%
VRSK’s Operating Profit Margin of 44.45% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Professional Services industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | GWW | VRSK |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 49.17% | 404.39% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 19.62% | 18.05% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 9.75% | 30.42% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.05% | 44.45% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 39.09% | 69.62% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
GWW
2.72
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 3.32
- Q3
- 2.27
- Median
- 1.60
- Q1
- 1.41
- Min
- 0.26
GWW’s Current Ratio of 2.72 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.
VRSK
1.19
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.28
- Q3
- 1.75
- Median
- 1.34
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.47
VRSK’s Current Ratio of 1.19 aligns with the median group of the Professional Services 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
- 1.24
- Median
- 0.79
- Q1
- 0.61
- Min
- 0.01
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.
VRSK
12.52
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.93
- Q3
- 1.45
- Median
- 0.98
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 12.52, VRSK operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Professional Services 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
- 5.67
- 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.
VRSK
43.51
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 39.45
- Q3
- 20.41
- Median
- 11.64
- Q1
- 5.46
- Min
- -1.21
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 43.51, VRSK demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Professional Services industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | GWW | VRSK |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.72 | 1.19 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.49 | 1.16 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.67 | 12.52 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 34.56 | 43.51 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
GWW
1.01%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 5.25%
- Q3
- 2.95%
- Median
- 2.06%
- Q1
- 1.11%
- Min
- 0.00%
GWW’s Dividend Yield of 1.01% 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.
VRSK
0.82%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 4.83%
- Q3
- 2.44%
- Median
- 1.52%
- Q1
- 0.52%
- Min
- 0.00%
VRSK’s Dividend Yield of 0.82% is consistent with its peers in the Professional Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
GWW
26.47%
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 26.47% is within the typical range for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
VRSK
26.40%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 128.51%
- Q3
- 69.03%
- Median
- 47.00%
- Q1
- 18.05%
- Min
- 0.00%
VRSK’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 26.40% is within the typical range for the Professional Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | GWW | VRSK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.01% | 0.82% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 26.47% | 26.40% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
GWW
26.25
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 42.69
- Q3
- 25.21
- Median
- 16.99
- Q1
- 13.13
- Min
- 5.35
A P/E Ratio of 26.25 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.
VRSK
32.20
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 52.60
- Q3
- 33.83
- Median
- 24.95
- Q1
- 17.59
- Min
- 7.96
VRSK’s P/E Ratio of 32.20 is within the middle range for the Professional Services 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
2.56
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 2.56 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.
VRSK
9.79
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 8.27
- Q3
- 4.40
- Median
- 2.09
- Q1
- 0.99
- Min
- 0.17
With a P/S Ratio of 9.79, VRSK trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Professional Services industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
GWW
12.80
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 7.55
- Q3
- 4.63
- Median
- 2.09
- Q1
- 1.30
- 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.
VRSK
93.28
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 18.75
- Q3
- 9.53
- Median
- 5.88
- Q1
- 2.95
- Min
- 0.59
At 93.28, VRSK’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Professional Services 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 | VRSK |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 26.25 | 32.20 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.56 | 9.79 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 12.80 | 93.28 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 36.86 | 26.59 |