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ATKR vs GWW
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Industrial - Distribution
ATKR vs GWW — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Electrical Equipment & Parts | Industrial - Distribution |
| Market Cap | $2.57B | $55.63B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $2.87B | $17.94B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-120M | $1.71B |
| Gross Margin | 19.9% | 39.1% |
| Operating Margin | 4.8% | 13.9% |
| Forward P/E | 14.4x | 26.8x |
| Total Debt | $932M | $3.16B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $507M | $585M |
ATKR vs GWW — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atkore Inc. (ATKR) | 100 | 284.0 | +184.0% |
| W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) | 100 | 377.8 | +277.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: ATKR vs GWW
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
ATKR is the clearest fit if your priority is sleep-well-at-night and defensive.
- Lower volatility, beta 1.69, Low D/E 66.6%, current ratio 3.05x
- Beta 1.69, yield 1.7%, current ratio 3.05x
- Lower P/E (14.4x vs 26.8x)
GWW carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 37 yrs, beta 0.89, yield 0.8%
- Rev growth 4.5%, EPS growth -8.6%, 3Y rev CAGR 5.6%
- 430.8% 10Y total return vs ATKR's 394.7%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 4.5% revenue growth vs ATKR's -11.0% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (14.4x vs 26.8x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 9.5% margin vs ATKR's -4.2% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.89 vs ATKR's 1.69 | |
| Dividends | 1.7% yield, 2-year raise streak, vs GWW's 0.8% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +18.9% vs GWW's +13.2% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 19.0% ROA vs ATKR's -4.2%, ROIC 32.1% vs 9.0% |
ATKR vs GWW — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
ATKR vs GWW — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
GWW leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
GWW is the larger business by revenue, generating $17.9B annually — 6.2x ATKR's $2.9B. GWW is the more profitable business, keeping 9.5% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to ATKR's -4.2%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $2.9B | $17.9B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $291M | $2.7B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$120M | $1.7B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $133M | $1.3B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +19.9% | +39.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +4.8% | +13.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -4.2% | +9.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +4.6% | +7.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +4.2% | +4.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +70.1% | -2.8% |
Valuation Metrics
ATKR leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, ATKR's 7.5x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than GWW's 19.8x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $2.6B | $55.6B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $3.0B | $58.2B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -169.40x | 33.05x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 14.45x | 26.82x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.48x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 7.54x | 19.76x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.90x | 3.10x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.86x | 13.56x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 8.70x | 41.79x |
Profitability & Efficiency
GWW leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
GWW delivers a 41.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $41 in annual profit, vs $-9 for ATKR. ATKR carries lower financial leverage with a 0.67x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to GWW's 0.76x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), GWW scores 8/9 vs ATKR's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -8.7% | +41.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -4.2% | +19.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +9.0% | +32.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +9.8% | +39.7% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 8 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.67x | 0.76x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $425M | $2.6B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $507M | $585M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $932M | $3.2B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.68x | 31.00x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
GWW leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in GWW five years ago would be worth $26,316 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $9,130 for ATKR. Over the past 12 months, ATKR leads with a +18.9% total return vs GWW's +13.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors GWW at 20.7% vs ATKR's -14.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +18.8% | +16.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +18.9% | +13.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -38.0% | +75.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -8.7% | +163.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +394.7% | +430.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -14.7% | +20.7% |
Risk & Volatility
GWW leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
GWW is the less volatile stock with a 0.89 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than ATKR's 1.69 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.69x | 0.89x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $80.06 | $1218.63 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $53.49 | $906.52 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +95.2% | +96.0% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 64.6 | 48.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 381K | 230K |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — ATKR and GWW each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates ATKR as "Hold" and GWW as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply -1.1% upside for GWW (target: $1157) vs -2.9% for ATKR (target: $74). For income investors, ATKR offers the higher dividend yield at 1.70% vs GWW's 0.83%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $74.00 | $1157.43 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 11 | 38 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.7% | +0.8% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 2 | 37 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.30 | $9.73 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +3.9% | +1.9% |
GWW leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). ATKR leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
ATKR vs GWW: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ATKR or GWW a better buy right now?
For growth investors, W.
W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) is the stronger pick with 4. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -11. 0% for Atkore Inc. (ATKR). W. W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) offers the better valuation at 33. 0x trailing P/E (26. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Atkore Inc. (ATKR) a "Hold" — based on 11 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — ATKR or GWW?
On forward P/E, Atkore Inc.
is actually cheaper at 14. 4x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — ATKR or GWW?
Over the past 5 years, W.
W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) delivered a total return of +163. 2%, compared to -8. 7% for Atkore Inc. (ATKR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GWW returned +430. 8% versus ATKR's +394. 7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — ATKR or GWW?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), W.
W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 89β versus Atkore Inc. 's 1. 69β — meaning ATKR is approximately 90% more volatile than GWW relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Atkore Inc. (ATKR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 67% versus 76% for W. W. Grainger, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — ATKR or GWW?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), W.
W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) is pulling ahead at 4. 5% versus -11. 0% for Atkore Inc. (ATKR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: W. W. Grainger, Inc. grew EPS -8. 6% year-over-year, compared to -103. 5% for Atkore Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, GWW leads at 5. 6% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — ATKR or GWW?
W.
W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) is the more profitable company, earning 9. 5% net margin versus -0. 5% for Atkore Inc. — meaning it keeps 9. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: GWW leads at 15. 0% versus 8. 3% for ATKR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — GWW leads at 39. 1%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is ATKR or GWW more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Atkore Inc.
(ATKR) trades at 14. 4x forward P/E versus 26. 8x for W. W. Grainger, Inc. — 12. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for GWW: -1. 1% to $1157. 43.
08Which pays a better dividend — ATKR or GWW?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Atkore Inc. (ATKR) offers the highest yield at 1. 7%, versus 0. 8% for W. W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW).
09Is ATKR or GWW better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, W.
W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 89), 0. 8% yield, +430. 8% 10Y return). Atkore Inc. (ATKR) carries a higher beta of 1. 69 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (GWW: +430. 8%, ATKR: +394. 7%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between ATKR and GWW?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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