ROK vs. WCN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ROK and WCN, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | ROK | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Rockwell Automation, Inc. | Waste Connections, Inc. |
| Country | United States | Canada |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Electrical Equipment | Commercial Services & Supplies |
| Market Capitalization | 39.28 billion USD | 45.03 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | December 31, 1981 | May 22, 1998 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ROK and WCN 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 | ROK | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 2.06% | 2.22% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 5.23% | -3.95% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 29.80% | -10.63% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 29.16% | 1.20% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.78% | -3.60% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 22.30% | -0.79% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.77M | 0.42M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.87M | 0.31M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 22.79% | 17.47% |
| Beta | 1.45 | 0.41 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ROK
28.15%
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 35.67%
- Q3
- 23.64%
- Median
- 11.74%
- Q1
- 6.08%
- Min
- -4.39%
In the upper quartile for the Electrical Equipment industry, ROK’s Return on Equity of 28.15% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
WCN
7.93%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 31.93%
- Q3
- 16.86%
- Median
- 10.28%
- Q1
- 6.63%
- Min
- 0.71%
WCN’s Return on Equity of 7.93% is on par with the norm for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
ROK
12.03%
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 20.60%
- Q3
- 10.26%
- Median
- 5.83%
- Q1
- 2.92%
- Min
- -0.75%
A Net Profit Margin of 12.03% places ROK in the upper quartile for the Electrical Equipment industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
WCN
6.97%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 16.98%
- Q3
- 9.05%
- Median
- 5.35%
- Q1
- 3.42%
- Min
- -2.31%
WCN’s Net Profit Margin of 6.97% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
ROK
13.99%
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 26.24%
- Q3
- 14.53%
- Median
- 7.97%
- Q1
- 3.45%
- Min
- -5.64%
ROK’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.99% is around the midpoint for the Electrical Equipment industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
WCN
12.19%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 23.33%
- Q3
- 12.51%
- Median
- 8.33%
- Q1
- 4.45%
- Min
- -2.90%
WCN’s Operating Profit Margin of 12.19% is around the midpoint for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ROK | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 28.15% | 7.93% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 8.75% | 3.19% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.03% | 6.97% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.99% | 12.19% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 39.43% | 42.03% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ROK
1.06
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.31
- Q3
- 2.09
- Median
- 1.48
- Q1
- 1.09
- Min
- 0.85
ROK’s Current Ratio of 1.06 falls into the lower quartile for the Electrical Equipment industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
WCN
0.67
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 3.73
- Q3
- 2.13
- Median
- 1.31
- Q1
- 0.91
- Min
- 0.59
WCN’s Current Ratio of 0.67 falls into the lower quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
ROK
1.00
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.57
- Q3
- 0.96
- Median
- 0.57
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
ROK’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Electrical Equipment industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.00. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
WCN
1.00
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 2.24
- Q3
- 1.14
- Median
- 0.76
- Q1
- 0.36
- Min
- 0.00
WCN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.00 is typical for the Commercial Services & Supplies 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)
ROK
--
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 44.15
- Q3
- 19.29
- Median
- 9.38
- Q1
- 0.98
- Min
- -19.47
Interest Coverage Ratio data for ROK is currently unavailable.
WCN
3.42
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 24.70
- Q3
- 13.44
- Median
- 9.06
- Q1
- 3.42
- Min
- -10.97
WCN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.42 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ROK | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.06 | 0.67 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.72 | 0.57 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -- | 3.42 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ROK
1.49%
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.04%
- Q3
- 1.58%
- Median
- 1.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ROK’s Dividend Yield of 1.49% is consistent with its peers in the Electrical Equipment industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
WCN
0.70%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 3.65%
- Q3
- 2.43%
- Median
- 1.58%
- Q1
- 0.74%
- Min
- 0.00%
WCN’s Dividend Yield of 0.70% is in the lower quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
ROK
60.38%
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 165.68%
- Q3
- 71.84%
- Median
- 38.15%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ROK’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 60.38% is within the typical range for the Electrical Equipment industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
WCN
28.21%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 137.88%
- Q3
- 73.07%
- Median
- 44.79%
- Q1
- 27.66%
- Min
- 0.00%
WCN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 28.21% is within the typical range for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ROK | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.49% | 0.70% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 60.38% | 28.21% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ROK
40.59
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 65.02
- Q3
- 38.99
- Median
- 27.41
- Q1
- 19.88
- Min
- 8.37
A P/E Ratio of 40.59 places ROK in the upper quartile for the Electrical Equipment industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
WCN
70.20
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 57.87
- Q3
- 33.40
- Median
- 23.56
- Q1
- 15.28
- Min
- 6.56
At 70.20, WCN’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Commercial Services & Supplies 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)
ROK
4.88
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 7.01
- Q3
- 4.03
- Median
- 1.79
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.47
ROK’s P/S Ratio of 4.88 is in the upper echelon for the Electrical Equipment 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.
WCN
4.89
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.84
- Q3
- 2.58
- Median
- 1.09
- Q1
- 0.62
- Min
- 0.06
With a P/S Ratio of 4.89, WCN trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
ROK
10.81
Electrical Equipment Industry
- Max
- 10.97
- Q3
- 5.57
- Median
- 3.50
- Q1
- 1.66
- Min
- 0.64
ROK’s P/B Ratio of 10.81 is in the upper tier for the Electrical Equipment 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.
WCN
5.65
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 6.40
- Q3
- 3.97
- Median
- 2.44
- Q1
- 1.60
- Min
- 0.40
WCN’s P/B Ratio of 5.65 is in the upper tier for the Commercial Services & Supplies 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 | ROK | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 40.59 | 70.20 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.88 | 4.89 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 10.81 | 5.65 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 29.82 | 39.63 |