W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) vs United Rentals, Inc. (URI)

A side-by-side comparison of W.W. Grainger, Inc. and United Rentals, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total return — GWW vs URI

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
GWW +551.1% (+20.6%/yr)URI +1238.1% (+29.6%/yr)URI compounded faster over this window
05001k2kStart $10020182020202220242026$651$1,338
GWW URI

GWW vs URI: by the numbers

  • •URI is the larger company ($64.51B vs $59.05B market cap).
  • •URI trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (25.10 vs 31.91 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •URI converts more revenue to profit (15.67% vs 9.92% net margin).
  • •URI grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.83% vs 9.00% CAGR).
  • •URI pays the higher dividend yield (0.75% vs 0.74%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricGWWURI
P/E ratio31.9125.10
Forward P/E26.8920.97
P/S ratio3.133.83
P/B ratio14.296.99
EV / EBITDA20.4111.90
FCF yield2.56%0.98%

Profitability

MetricGWWURI
Gross margin39.40%37.07%
Operating margin14.57%24.79%
Net margin9.92%15.67%
ROE45.27%28.60%
ROIC27.07%11.11%

Dividends

MetricGWWURI
Dividend yield0.74%0.75%
Payout ratio24.24%18.64%

Growth (annualized)

MetricGWWURI
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.00%13.83%
EPS CAGR (5Y)22.25%25.88%
FCF CAGR (5Y)9.51%-11.55%
Total return CAGR (5Y)26.48%25.59%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, GWW or URI?
URI has the lower trailing P/E: GWW trades at 31.91 and URI at 25.10. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, GWW or URI?
Over the past five years, URI grew revenue faster — GWW at a 9.00% CAGR versus URI at 13.83%.
Does GWW or URI pay a bigger dividend?
GWW yields 0.74% and URI yields 0.75% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is GWW or URI more profitable?
URI runs the higher net margin — GWW at 9.92% versus URI at 15.67%.
How have GWW and URI total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, GWW delivered 20.88% and URI delivered 29.94% 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 September 13, 2026.