ULS vs. WSO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ULS and WSO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | ULS | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | UL Solutions Inc. | Watsco, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Professional Services | Trading Companies & Distributors |
| Market Capitalization | 13.44 billion USD | 17.03 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | April 12, 2024 | June 7, 1984 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ULS and WSO 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 | ULS | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.09% | -0.68% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -8.09% | -14.22% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 16.65% | -12.12% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 24.93% | -12.10% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -8.51% | -7.12% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 34.12% | -11.63% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.15M | 0.29M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.90M | 0.32M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 34.31% | 27.52% |
| Beta | 0.54 | 0.96 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ULS
34.07%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 52.17%
- Q3
- 30.06%
- Median
- 22.21%
- Q1
- 11.67%
- Min
- -13.44%
In the upper quartile for the Professional Services industry, ULS’s Return on Equity of 34.07% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
WSO
19.73%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 32.33%
- Q3
- 19.92%
- Median
- 14.05%
- Q1
- 11.46%
- Min
- 0.91%
WSO’s Return on Equity of 19.73% is on par with the norm for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
ULS
11.08%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 26.06%
- Q3
- 13.34%
- Median
- 7.88%
- Q1
- 3.50%
- Min
- -2.93%
ULS’s Net Profit Margin of 11.08% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Professional Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
WSO
7.08%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 17.73%
- Q3
- 10.81%
- Median
- 6.13%
- Q1
- 4.33%
- Min
- 2.09%
WSO’s Net Profit Margin of 7.08% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
ULS
16.71%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 35.84%
- Q3
- 19.38%
- Median
- 12.54%
- Q1
- 7.36%
- Min
- -5.21%
ULS’s Operating Profit Margin of 16.71% is around the midpoint for the Professional Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
WSO
10.26%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 25.50%
- Q3
- 15.13%
- Median
- 7.46%
- Q1
- 5.44%
- Min
- 3.55%
WSO’s Operating Profit Margin of 10.26% is around the midpoint for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ULS | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 34.07% | 19.73% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 11.40% | 11.69% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 11.08% | 7.08% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 16.71% | 10.26% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 48.53% | 27.54% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ULS
1.32
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.45
- Q3
- 1.65
- Median
- 1.26
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.47
ULS’s Current Ratio of 1.32 aligns with the median group of the Professional Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
WSO
3.08
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 2.82
- Q3
- 2.13
- Median
- 1.60
- Q1
- 1.43
- Min
- 0.46
WSO’s Current Ratio of 3.08 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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
ULS
0.56
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.63
- Q3
- 1.44
- Median
- 0.91
- Q1
- 0.49
- Min
- 0.00
ULS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.56 is typical for the Professional Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
WSO
0.01
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.88
- Q3
- 1.18
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.54
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, WSO’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.01 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
ULS
11.92
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 39.67
- Q3
- 20.05
- Median
- 11.07
- Q1
- 5.36
- Min
- -2.22
ULS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 11.92 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Professional Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
WSO
140.00
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 140.00, WSO 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.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ULS | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.32 | 3.08 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.32 | 1.26 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.56 | 0.01 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 11.92 | 140.00 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ULS
0.76%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 5.28%
- Q3
- 2.51%
- Median
- 1.63%
- Q1
- 0.62%
- Min
- 0.00%
ULS’s Dividend Yield of 0.76% is consistent with its peers in the Professional Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
WSO
2.58%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.99%
- Q3
- 3.04%
- Median
- 1.94%
- Q1
- 1.22%
- Min
- 0.00%
WSO’s Dividend Yield of 2.58% is consistent with its peers in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
ULS
31.19%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 109.23%
- Q3
- 64.39%
- Median
- 47.00%
- Q1
- 20.35%
- Min
- 0.00%
ULS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 31.19% is within the typical range for the Professional Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
WSO
84.37%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 95.14%
- Q3
- 62.08%
- Median
- 51.17%
- Q1
- 26.24%
- Min
- 0.00%
WSO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 84.37% is in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ULS | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.76% | 2.58% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 31.19% | 84.37% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ULS
41.10
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 49.59
- Q3
- 36.59
- Median
- 28.13
- Q1
- 18.55
- Min
- 10.07
A P/E Ratio of 41.10 places ULS in the upper quartile for the Professional Services industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
WSO
32.64
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 48.55
- Q3
- 26.73
- Median
- 17.17
- Q1
- 10.78
- Min
- 1.62
A P/E Ratio of 32.64 places WSO 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
ULS
4.55
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 9.54
- Q3
- 5.11
- Median
- 2.10
- Q1
- 0.75
- Min
- 0.11
ULS’s P/S Ratio of 4.55 aligns with the market consensus for the Professional Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
WSO
2.31
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.88
- Q3
- 2.56
- Median
- 1.02
- Q1
- 0.60
- Min
- 0.29
WSO’s P/S Ratio of 2.31 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
ULS
13.37
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 13.75
- Q3
- 8.87
- Median
- 4.35
- Q1
- 2.43
- Min
- 0.54
ULS’s P/B Ratio of 13.37 is in the upper tier for the Professional Services 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.
WSO
6.47
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 8.77
- Q3
- 4.33
- Median
- 2.00
- Q1
- 1.11
- Min
- 0.35
WSO’s P/B Ratio of 6.47 is in the upper tier for the Trading Companies & Distributors 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 | ULS | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 41.10 | 32.64 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.55 | 2.31 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 13.37 | 6.47 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 36.92 | 23.35 |