Cintas Corporation (CTAS) vs W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW)
CTAS leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Cintas Corporation and W.W. Grainger, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 25, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — CTAS vs GWW
growth of $100 · last 30yCTAS +3648.5%GWW +3325.8%CTAS compounded faster
CTAS GWW
CTAS vs GWW: by the numbers
- •CTAS is the larger company ($68.40B vs $64.91B market cap).
- •CTAS trades at the lower earnings multiple (36.06 vs 36.96 P/E).
- •CTAS converts more revenue to profit (17.57% vs 9.70% net margin).
- •CTAS grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.83% vs 9.12% CAGR).
- •CTAS pays the higher dividend yield (1.05% vs 0.67%).
Which is better, CTAS or GWW?
Metric tally: CTAS 9 · GWW 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueCTAS(lower P/E)
GrowthCTAS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCTAS(higher dividend yield)
QualityGWW(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CTAS | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 36.06● | 36.96 |
| Forward P/E | 31.44 | 30.14● |
| P/S ratio | 6.31 | 3.55● |
| P/B ratio | 14.52● | 16.58 |
| PEG ratio | 3.09 | 1.66● |
| EV / EBITDA | 23.78 | 23.32 |
| FCF yield | 2.57%● | 2.12% |
Profitability
| Metric | CTAS | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 50.36%● | 39.15% |
| Operating margin | 22.95%● | 14.23% |
| Net margin | 17.57%● | 9.70% |
| ROE | 40.46% | 45.34%● |
| ROIC | 22.95% | 27.73%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CTAS | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.05%● | 0.67% |
| Payout ratio | 40.18% | 26.13% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CTAS | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.83%● | 9.12% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 16.48% | 22.25%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 9.81%● | 7.67% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 13.65% | 26.72%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CTAS or GWW?
- It depends on your goal. value: CTAS (lower P/E); growth: CTAS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CTAS (higher dividend yield); quality: GWW (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CTAS leads 9 to 7.
- Is CTAS or GWW cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, CTAS is cheaper: CTAS trades at a 36.06 P/E and GWW at 36.96.
- Which has grown faster, CTAS or GWW?
- Over the past five years, CTAS grew revenue faster — CTAS at a 9.83% CAGR versus GWW at 9.12%.
- Does CTAS or GWW pay a bigger dividend?
- CTAS yields 1.05% and GWW yields 0.67% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CTAS or GWW more profitable?
- CTAS runs the higher net margin — CTAS at 17.57% versus GWW at 9.70%.
- Which has been the better investment, CTAS or GWW?
- Over the past 10-year, CTAS delivered the higher annualized total return — CTAS at 23.34% versus GWW at 22.08%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cintas P/E ratioW.W. Grainger P/E ratioCintas dividend yieldW.W. Grainger dividend yieldCintas ROEW.W. Grainger ROECintas operating marginW.W. Grainger operating marginCintas revenue growthW.W. Grainger revenue growthCintas free cash flowW.W. Grainger free cash flow
Cintas & W.W. Grainger appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 25, 2026.