UPS vs. WSO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at UPS and WSO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | UPS | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | United Parcel Service, Inc. | Watsco, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Air Freight & Logistics | Trading Companies & Distributors |
| Market Capitalization | 78.95 billion USD | 14.23 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 10, 1999 | June 7, 1984 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of UPS 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 | UPS | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.20% | -2.08% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 7.82% | -15.56% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -0.96% | -25.30% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -30.63% | -33.16% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -3.48% | -4.65% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -26.20% | -25.96% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 10.26M | 0.56M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 8.09M | 0.45M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 25.90% | 31.54% |
| Beta | 1.11 | 1.02 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
UPS
34.41%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 35.27%
- Q3
- 18.63%
- Median
- 11.99%
- Q1
- 7.41%
- Min
- 2.11%
In the upper quartile for the Air Freight & Logistics industry, UPS’s Return on Equity of 34.41% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
WSO
19.16%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 32.99%
- Q3
- 19.66%
- Median
- 13.72%
- Q1
- 9.74%
- Min
- -0.34%
WSO’s Return on Equity of 19.16% 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)
UPS
6.15%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 7.92%
- Q3
- 5.98%
- Median
- 4.11%
- Q1
- 2.45%
- Min
- 0.50%
A Net Profit Margin of 6.15% places UPS in the upper quartile for the Air Freight & Logistics industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
WSO
7.04%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 16.11%
- Q3
- 9.48%
- Median
- 5.89%
- Q1
- 3.68%
- Min
- -1.09%
WSO’s Net Profit Margin of 7.04% 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)
UPS
9.18%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 11.33%
- Q3
- 8.19%
- Median
- 5.82%
- Q1
- 3.63%
- Min
- 1.06%
An Operating Profit Margin of 9.18% places UPS in the upper quartile for the Air Freight & Logistics industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
WSO
10.18%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 26.26%
- Q3
- 14.59%
- Median
- 7.05%
- Q1
- 4.94%
- Min
- -8.06%
WSO’s Operating Profit Margin of 10.18% 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 | UPS | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 34.41% | 19.16% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 7.84% | 11.46% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 6.15% | 7.04% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 9.18% | 10.18% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 82.44% | 27.92% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
UPS
1.30
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 1.73
- Q3
- 1.33
- Median
- 1.15
- Q1
- 0.95
- Min
- 0.61
UPS’s Current Ratio of 1.30 aligns with the median group of the Air Freight & Logistics industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
WSO
3.84
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 3.32
- Q3
- 2.27
- Median
- 1.60
- Q1
- 1.41
- Min
- 0.26
WSO’s Current Ratio of 3.84 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)
UPS
1.57
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 1.57
- Q3
- 1.25
- Median
- 0.77
- Q1
- 0.32
- Min
- 0.00
UPS’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Air Freight & Logistics industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.57. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
WSO
0.04
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.93
- Q3
- 1.24
- Median
- 0.79
- Q1
- 0.61
- Min
- 0.01
Falling into the lower quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, WSO’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.04 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)
UPS
9.59
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 49.07
- Q3
- 23.59
- Median
- 8.92
- Q1
- 6.34
- Min
- -0.60
UPS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 9.59 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Air Freight & Logistics 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
- 5.67
- Q1
- 2.04
- 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 | UPS | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.30 | 3.84 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.30 | 1.86 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.57 | 0.04 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 9.59 | 140.00 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
UPS
6.88%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 6.28%
- Q3
- 3.20%
- Median
- 1.90%
- Q1
- 0.55%
- Min
- 0.00%
UPS’s Dividend Yield of 6.88% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Air Freight & Logistics industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.
WSO
3.22%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 5.25%
- Q3
- 2.95%
- Median
- 2.06%
- Q1
- 1.11%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.22%, WSO offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
UPS
98.06%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 160.95%
- Q3
- 92.80%
- Median
- 60.17%
- Q1
- 4.60%
- Min
- 0.00%
UPS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 98.06% is in the upper quartile for the Air Freight & Logistics 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.
WSO
88.32%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 136.12%
- Q3
- 71.34%
- Median
- 47.49%
- Q1
- 22.56%
- Min
- 0.00%
WSO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 88.32% 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 | UPS | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 6.88% | 3.22% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 98.06% | 88.32% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
UPS
14.24
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 30.08
- Q3
- 23.03
- Median
- 18.40
- Q1
- 12.84
- Min
- 5.90
UPS’s P/E Ratio of 14.24 is within the middle range for the Air Freight & Logistics industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
WSO
27.43
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 42.69
- Q3
- 25.21
- Median
- 16.99
- Q1
- 13.13
- Min
- 5.35
A P/E Ratio of 27.43 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)
UPS
0.88
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 2.28
- Q3
- 1.40
- Median
- 0.63
- Q1
- 0.46
- Min
- 0.19
UPS’s P/S Ratio of 0.88 aligns with the market consensus for the Air Freight & Logistics industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
WSO
1.93
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.90
- Q3
- 2.71
- Median
- 1.06
- Q1
- 0.70
- Min
- 0.30
WSO’s P/S Ratio of 1.93 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)
UPS
4.47
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 5.68
- Q3
- 3.23
- Median
- 1.97
- Q1
- 1.31
- Min
- 0.80
UPS’s P/B Ratio of 4.47 is in the upper tier for the Air Freight & Logistics 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
5.82
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 7.55
- Q3
- 4.63
- Median
- 2.09
- Q1
- 1.30
- Min
- 0.31
WSO’s P/B Ratio of 5.82 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 | UPS | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 14.24 | 27.43 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.88 | 1.93 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.47 | 5.82 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 15.15 | 19.97 |