W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) vs Honeywell International Inc. (HON)

A side-by-side comparison of W.W. Grainger, Inc. and Honeywell International Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 23, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnGWW vs HON

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
GWW +559.3% (+20.8%/yr)HON +195.4% (+11.4%/yr)GWW compounded faster over this window
200400600Start $10020182020202220242026$659$295
GWW HON

GWW vs HON: by the numbers

  • HON is the larger company ($68.43B vs $61.95B market cap).
  • HON trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (8.38 vs 33.48 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • HON converts more revenue to profit (22.73% vs 9.92% net margin).
  • GWW grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.00% vs 1.25% CAGR).
  • HON pays the higher dividend yield (3.63% vs 0.72%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricGWWHON
P/E ratio33.488.38
Forward P/E28.2325.93
P/S ratio3.291.91
P/B ratio15.032.73
EV / EBITDA21.4114.77
FCF yield2.43%5.98%

Profitability

MetricGWWHON
Gross margin39.40%36.57%
Operating margin14.57%14.09%
Net margin9.92%22.73%
ROE45.27%32.56%
ROIC27.07%6.63%

Dividends

MetricGWWHON
Dividend yield0.72%3.63%
Payout ratio26.78%52.97%

Growth (annualized)

MetricGWWHON
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.00%1.25%
EPS CAGR (5Y)22.25%1.74%
FCF CAGR (5Y)9.51%0.34%
Total return CAGR (5Y)26.17%3.00%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, GWW or HON?
HON has the lower trailing P/E: GWW trades at 33.48 and HON at 8.38. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, GWW or HON?
Over the past five years, GWW grew revenue faster — GWW at a 9.00% CAGR versus HON at 1.25%.
Does GWW or HON pay a bigger dividend?
GWW yields 0.72% and HON yields 3.63% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is GWW or HON more profitable?
HON runs the higher net margin — GWW at 9.92% versus HON at 22.73%.
How have GWW and HON total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, GWW delivered 20.71% and HON delivered 11.49% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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 August 23, 2026.