UPS vs. XYL: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at UPS and XYL, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | UPS | XYL |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | United Parcel Service, Inc. | Xylem Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Air Freight & Logistics | Machinery |
| Market Capitalization | 74.47 billion USD | 35.20 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 10, 1999 | October 13, 2011 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of UPS and XYL 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 | XYL |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.98% | 3.14% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -9.93% | 14.56% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -24.47% | 13.57% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -32.03% | 6.14% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.97% | 0.00% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -30.33% | 24.65% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 7.84M | 1.03M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 6.47M | 1.30M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 31.07% | 25.15% |
| Beta | 1.10 | 1.14 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
UPS
35.27%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 35.27%
- Q3
- 18.47%
- Median
- 11.35%
- Q1
- 7.21%
- Min
- 2.53%
In the upper quartile for the Air Freight & Logistics industry, UPS’s Return on Equity of 35.27% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
XYL
8.70%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 34.68%
- Q3
- 19.06%
- Median
- 13.13%
- Q1
- 8.53%
- Min
- -4.87%
XYL’s Return on Equity of 8.70% is on par with the norm for the Machinery industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
UPS
6.34%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 10.27%
- Q3
- 6.18%
- Median
- 3.96%
- Q1
- 2.32%
- Min
- 0.61%
A Net Profit Margin of 6.34% 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.
XYL
10.74%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 19.74%
- Q3
- 11.24%
- Median
- 8.13%
- Q1
- 5.38%
- Min
- -1.11%
XYL’s Net Profit Margin of 10.74% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Machinery industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
UPS
9.30%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 17.40%
- Q3
- 8.87%
- Median
- 5.89%
- Q1
- 3.03%
- Min
- 0.62%
An Operating Profit Margin of 9.30% 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.
XYL
11.81%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 26.63%
- Q3
- 16.15%
- Median
- 11.27%
- Q1
- 7.72%
- Min
- -4.91%
XYL’s Operating Profit Margin of 11.81% is around the midpoint for the Machinery industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | UPS | XYL |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 35.27% | 8.70% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 8.25% | 5.66% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 6.34% | 10.74% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 9.30% | 11.81% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 81.60% | 37.81% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
UPS
1.32
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 1.83
- Q3
- 1.47
- Median
- 1.29
- Q1
- 1.05
- Min
- 0.62
UPS’s Current Ratio of 1.32 aligns with the median group of the Air Freight & Logistics industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
XYL
1.90
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 3.83
- Q3
- 2.32
- Median
- 1.72
- Q1
- 1.28
- Min
- 0.78
XYL’s Current Ratio of 1.90 aligns with the median group of the Machinery industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
UPS
1.57
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 1.57
- Q3
- 1.06
- Median
- 0.72
- Q1
- 0.30
- 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.
XYL
0.18
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 1.49
- Q3
- 0.75
- Median
- 0.44
- Q1
- 0.26
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Machinery industry, XYL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.18 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
- 8.56
- Q1
- 5.97
- 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.
XYL
55.35
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 67.55
- Q3
- 33.79
- Median
- 13.87
- Q1
- 7.97
- Min
- -1.43
XYL’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 55.35 is in the upper quartile for the Machinery industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | UPS | XYL |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.32 | 1.90 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.32 | 1.31 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.57 | 0.18 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 9.59 | 55.35 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
UPS
7.29%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 6.43%
- Q3
- 3.10%
- Median
- 2.40%
- Q1
- 0.46%
- Min
- 0.00%
UPS’s Dividend Yield of 7.29% 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.
XYL
1.05%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 5.32%
- Q3
- 2.84%
- Median
- 1.87%
- Q1
- 1.09%
- Min
- 0.00%
XYL’s Dividend Yield of 1.05% is in the lower quartile for the Machinery industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
UPS
94.15%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 160.95%
- Q3
- 92.80%
- Median
- 54.10%
- Q1
- 0.19%
- Min
- 0.00%
UPS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 94.15% 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.
XYL
39.55%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 202.17%
- Q3
- 98.65%
- Median
- 55.54%
- Q1
- 29.03%
- Min
- 0.00%
XYL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 39.55% is within the typical range for the Machinery industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | UPS | XYL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 7.29% | 1.05% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 94.15% | 39.55% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
UPS
12.92
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 34.55
- Q3
- 23.34
- Median
- 16.33
- Q1
- 13.38
- Min
- 6.36
In the lower quartile for the Air Freight & Logistics industry, UPS’s P/E Ratio of 12.92 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
XYL
37.52
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 53.66
- Q3
- 31.29
- Median
- 22.00
- Q1
- 16.18
- Min
- 7.00
A P/E Ratio of 37.52 places XYL in the upper quartile for the Machinery 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
0.82
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 2.13
- Q3
- 1.16
- Median
- 0.59
- Q1
- 0.36
- Min
- 0.18
UPS’s P/S Ratio of 0.82 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.
XYL
4.03
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 5.04
- Q3
- 2.72
- Median
- 1.67
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.24
XYL’s P/S Ratio of 4.03 is in the upper echelon for the Machinery 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)
UPS
5.43
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 3.13
- Q3
- 2.81
- Median
- 1.82
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.74
At 5.43, UPS’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Air Freight & Logistics 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.
XYL
2.84
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 7.23
- Q3
- 3.90
- Median
- 2.52
- Q1
- 1.47
- Min
- 0.49
XYL’s P/B Ratio of 2.84 is within the conventional range for the Machinery industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | UPS | XYL |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 12.92 | 37.52 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.82 | 4.03 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.43 | 2.84 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 13.77 | 40.41 |