FELE
Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
Industrial - Machinery
Market Cap$4.41B
5Y Perf.+97.0%
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Stock Comparison
FELE vs GTLS vs GWW vs FBIN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
GTLS
Chart Industries, Inc.
Industrial - Machinery
Market Cap$9.93B
5Y Perf.+428.4%
GWW
W.W. Grainger, Inc.
Industrial - Distribution
Market Cap$58.41B
5Y Perf.+298.6%
FBIN
Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.
Construction
Market Cap$4.68B
5Y Perf.-25.0%
FELE vs GTLS vs GWW vs FBIN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | FELE | GTLS | GWW | FBIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Industrial - Machinery | Industrial - Machinery | Industrial - Distribution | Construction |
| Market Cap | $4.41B | $9.93B | $58.41B | $4.68B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $2.18B | $4.26B | $18.38B | $3.36B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $150M | $40M | $1.78B | $195M |
| Gross Margin | 35.2% | 32.6% | 39.2% | 45.6% |
| Operating Margin | 12.6% | 8.5% | 14.2% | 10.6% |
| Forward P/E | 21.8x | 16.4x | 28.3x | 11.5x |
| Total Debt | $280M | $3.74B | $3.16B | $2.54B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $100M | $366M | $585M | $264M |
FELE vs GTLS vs GWW vs FBIN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
FELE
GTLS
GWW
FBIN
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin Electric C… (FELE) | 100 | 197.0 | +97.0% |
| Chart Industries, I… (GTLS) | 100 | 528.4 | +428.4% |
| W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) | 100 | 398.6 | +298.6% |
| Fortune Brands Inno… (FBIN) | 100 | 75.0 | -25.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: FELE vs GTLS vs GWW vs FBIN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: GTLS and GWW are tied at the top with 2 categories each — the right choice depends on your priorities. W.W. Grainger, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for profitability and margin quality and operational efficiency and capital deployment. FBIN and FELE also each lead in at least one category. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
FELE
Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
The Growth Play
FELE is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure.
- Rev growth 5.4%, EPS growth -15.8%, 3Y rev CAGR 1.4%
- 5.4% revenue growth vs FBIN's -3.2%
Best for: growth exposure
GTLS
Chart Industries, Inc.
The Long-Run Compounder
GTLS has the current edge in this matchup, primarily because of its strength in long-term compounding.
- 7.7% 10Y total return vs GWW's 463.0%
- Beta 0.56 vs FBIN's 1.61
- +37.6% vs FBIN's -16.8%
Best for: long-term compounding
GWW
W.W. Grainger, Inc.
The Income Pick
GWW is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if income & stability and sleep-well-at-night is your priority.
- Dividend streak 37 yrs, beta 0.89, yield 0.8%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.89, Low D/E 76.4%, current ratio 2.83x
- PEG 1.27 vs FBIN's 2.77
- Beta 0.89, yield 0.8%, current ratio 2.83x
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
FBIN
Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.
The Value Play
FBIN is the clearest fit if your priority is value and dividends.
- Lower P/E (11.5x vs 16.4x)
- 2.5% yield, 2-year raise streak, vs GWW's 0.8%
Best for: value and dividends
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | FELE | 5.4% revenue growth vs FBIN's -3.2% |
| Value | FBIN | Lower P/E (11.5x vs 16.4x) |
| Quality / Margins | GWW | 9.7% margin vs GTLS's 0.9% |
| Stability / Safety | GTLS | Beta 0.56 vs FBIN's 1.61 |
| Dividends | FBIN | 2.5% yield, 2-year raise streak, vs GWW's 0.8% |
| Momentum (1Y) | GTLS | +37.6% vs FBIN's -16.8% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | GWW | 19.7% ROA vs GTLS's 0.4%, ROIC 32.1% vs 7.4% |
FELE vs GTLS vs GWW vs FBIN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
FELE vs GTLS vs GWW vs FBIN — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLGWWLAGGINGFELE
Who Leads Where
GWW leads in 3 of 6 categories
FBIN leads 1 • GTLS leads 1 • FELE leads 0 • 1 tied
Explore the data ↓FELEFranklin Electric Co.…
0leads
FBINFortune Brands Innova…
1leads
GTLSChart Industries, Inc.
1leads
GWWW.W. Grainger, Inc.
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs GTLSvs FBINMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
GWW4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
FBIN6/7
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
GWW5/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
GWW4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
GTLS2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
GWW leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
GWW is the larger business by revenue, generating $18.4B annually — 8.4x FELE's $2.2B. GWW is the more profitable business, keeping 9.7% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to GTLS's 0.9%. On growth, GWW holds the edge at +10.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | FELEFranklin Electric… | GTLSChart Industries,… | GWWW.W. Grainger, In… | FBINFortune Brands In… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $2.2B | $4.3B | $18.4B | $3.4B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $322M | $644M | $2.8B | $482M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $150M | $40M | $1.8B | $195M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $169M | $203M | $1.4B | $420M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +35.2% | +32.6% | +39.2% | +45.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +12.6% | +8.5% | +14.2% | +10.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +6.9% | +0.9% | +9.7% | +5.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +7.8% | +4.8% | +7.5% | +12.5% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +9.9% | -2.5% | +10.1% | -106.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +13.4% | -36.1% | +18.2% | -2.0% |
GWW leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
FBIN leads this category, winning 6 of 7 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 15.8x trailing earnings, FBIN trades at a 97% valuation discount to GTLS's 628.5x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), GWW offers better value at 1.56x vs FELE's 3.53x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | FELEFranklin Electric… | GTLSChart Industries,… | GWWW.W. Grainger, In… | FBINFortune Brands In… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $4.4B | $9.9B | $58.4B | $4.7B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $4.6B | $13.3B | $61.0B | $7.0B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 30.75x | 628.45x | 34.86x | 15.82x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 21.77x | 16.40x | 28.29x | 11.50x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 3.53x | — | 1.56x | 2.77x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 13.82x | 14.33x | 20.71x | 10.08x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.07x | 2.33x | 3.26x | 1.05x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.41x | 2.79x | 14.30x | 1.98x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 22.81x | 48.95x | 43.88x | 12.77x |
FBIN leads this category, winning 6 of 7 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
GWW leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
GWW delivers a 43.1% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $43 in annual profit, vs $1 for GTLS. FELE carries lower financial leverage with a 0.21x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to GTLS's 1.11x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), GWW scores 8/9 vs GTLS's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | FELEFranklin Electric… | GTLSChart Industries,… | GWWW.W. Grainger, In… | FBINFortune Brands In… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +11.4% | +1.2% | +43.1% | +8.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +7.6% | +0.4% | +19.7% | +3.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +14.7% | +7.4% | +32.1% | +8.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +18.1% | +8.6% | +39.7% | +9.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.21x | 1.11x | 0.76x | 1.07x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $181M | $3.4B | $2.6B | $2.3B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $100M | $366M | $585M | $264M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $280M | $3.7B | $3.2B | $2.5B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 24.75x | 1.08x | 22.63x | 4.72x |
GWW leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
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 $27,320 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $4,599 for FBIN. Over the past 12 months, GTLS leads with a +37.6% total return vs FBIN's -16.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors GWW at 22.8% vs FBIN's -13.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | FELEFranklin Electric… | GTLSChart Industries,… | GWWW.W. Grainger, In… | FBINFortune Brands In… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +3.6% | +0.6% | +23.2% | -22.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +17.7% | +37.6% | +19.1% | -16.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +10.0% | +62.7% | +85.3% | -36.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +20.3% | +29.5% | +173.2% | -54.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +231.4% | +772.5% | +463.0% | -2.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +3.2% | +17.6% | +22.8% | -13.9% |
GWW leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
GTLS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
GTLS is the less volatile stock with a 0.56 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than FBIN's 1.61 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. GTLS currently trades 99.5% from its 52-week high vs FBIN's 60.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | FELEFranklin Electric… | GTLSChart Industries,… | GWWW.W. Grainger, In… | FBINFortune Brands In… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.92x | 0.56x | 0.89x | 1.61x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $111.53 | $208.51 | $1286.56 | $64.84 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $83.42 | $140.50 | $906.52 | $36.07 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +89.6% | +99.5% | +95.9% | +60.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 54.8 | 51.2 | 58.3 | 46.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 281K | 1.6M | 239K | 2.6M |
GTLS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — GWW and FBIN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: FELE as "Hold", GTLS as "Buy", GWW as "Hold", FBIN as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 53.1% upside for FBIN (target: $60) vs -6.5% for GTLS (target: $194). For income investors, FBIN offers the higher dividend yield at 2.55% vs GTLS's 0.29%.
| Metric | FELEFranklin Electric… | GTLSChart Industries,… | GWWW.W. Grainger, In… | FBINFortune Brands In… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $100.00 | $193.81 | $1157.43 | $59.83 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 11 | 37 | 38 | 27 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.1% | +0.3% | +0.8% | +2.5% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 32 | 1 | 37 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.11 | $0.60 | $9.73 | $1.00 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +3.8% | 0.0% | +1.8% | +5.3% |
Evenly matched — GWW and FBIN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
GWW leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). FBIN leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
Best OverallW.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW)Leads 3 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
FELE vs GTLS vs GWW vs FBIN: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is FELE or GTLS or GWW or FBIN a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Franklin Electric Co.
, Inc. (FELE) is the stronger pick with 5. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -3. 2% for Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. (FBIN). Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. (FBIN) offers the better valuation at 15. 8x trailing P/E (11. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Chart Industries, Inc. (GTLS) a "Buy" — based on 37 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 — FELE or GTLS or GWW or FBIN?
On trailing P/E, Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.
(FBIN) is the cheapest at 15. 8x versus Chart Industries, Inc. at 628. 5x. On forward P/E, Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. is actually cheaper at 11. 5x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: W. W. Grainger, Inc. wins at 1. 27x versus Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. 's 2. 77x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.
03Which is the better long-term investment — FELE or GTLS or GWW or FBIN?
Over the past 5 years, W.
W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) delivered a total return of +173. 2%, compared to -54. 0% for Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. (FBIN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GTLS returned +772. 5% versus FBIN's -2. 4%. 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 — FELE or GTLS or GWW or FBIN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Chart Industries, Inc.
(GTLS) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 56β versus Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. 's 1. 61β — meaning FBIN is approximately 188% more volatile than GTLS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Franklin Electric Co. , Inc. (FELE) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 21% versus 111% for Chart Industries, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — FELE or GTLS or GWW or FBIN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Franklin Electric Co.
, Inc. (FELE) is pulling ahead at 5. 4% versus -3. 2% for Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. (FBIN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: W. W. Grainger, Inc. grew EPS -8. 6% year-over-year, compared to -92. 0% for Chart Industries, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, GTLS leads at 38. 3% 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 — FELE or GTLS or GWW or FBIN?
W.
W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) is the more profitable company, earning 9. 5% net margin versus 1. 0% for Chart Industries, Inc. — meaning it keeps 9. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: GTLS leads at 15. 2% versus 11. 6% for FBIN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — FBIN leads at 44. 8%, 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 FELE or GTLS or GWW or FBIN more undervalued right now?
The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.
By this metric, W. W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 27x versus Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. 's 2. 77x. A PEG below 1. 5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. (FBIN) trades at 11. 5x forward P/E versus 28. 3x for W. W. Grainger, Inc. — 16. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for FBIN: 53. 1% to $59. 83.
08Which pays a better dividend — FELE or GTLS or GWW or FBIN?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. (FBIN) offers the highest yield at 2. 5%, versus 0. 3% for Chart Industries, Inc. (GTLS).
09Is FELE or GTLS or GWW or FBIN 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, +463. 0% 10Y return). Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. (FBIN) carries a higher beta of 1. 61 — 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: +463. 0%, FBIN: -2. 4%), 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 FELE and GTLS and GWW and FBIN?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: FELE is a small-cap quality compounder stock; GTLS is a small-cap quality compounder stock; GWW is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; FBIN is a small-cap deep-value stock. FELE, GWW, FBIN pay a dividend while GTLS does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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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(FELE: 9.9% · GTLS: -2.5%)P/E Ratio<
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