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

URI leads on 10 of 17 compared metrics.

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 June 30, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — GWW vs URI

growth of $100 · last 29y
GWW +2743.6%URI +7384.5%URI compounded faster
02k4k6k8kStart $10020022007201220172022$2,844$7,484
GWW URI

GWW vs URI: by the numbers

  • URI is the larger company ($70.33B vs $63.89B market cap).
  • URI trades at the lower earnings multiple (28.75 vs 36.38 P/E).
  • URI converts more revenue to profit (15.32% vs 9.70% net margin).
  • URI grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.10% vs 9.12% CAGR).
  • GWW pays the higher dividend yield (0.74% vs 0.70%).

Which is better, GWW or URI?

Metric tally: GWW 7 · URI 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueURI(lower P/E)
GrowthURI(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeGWW(higher dividend yield)
QualityGWW(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricGWWURI
P/E ratio36.3828.75
Forward P/E29.6723.90
P/S ratio3.494.36
P/B ratio16.327.96
PEG ratio1.641.11
EV / EBITDA23.0713.26
FCF yield2.15%0.93%

Profitability

MetricGWWURI
Gross margin39.15%36.25%
Operating margin14.23%24.67%
Net margin9.70%15.32%
ROE45.34%27.95%
ROIC27.73%10.75%

Dividends

MetricGWWURI
Dividend yield0.74%0.70%
Payout ratio28.08%20.36%

Growth (annualized)

MetricGWWURI
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.12%14.10%
EPS CAGR (5Y)22.25%25.88%
FCF CAGR (5Y)7.67%-15.74%
Total return CAGR (5Y)26.01%29.89%

Frequently asked

Which is better, GWW or URI?
It depends on your goal. value: URI (lower P/E); growth: URI (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: GWW (higher dividend yield); quality: GWW (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, URI leads 10 to 7.
Is GWW or URI cheaper?
On trailing earnings, URI is cheaper: GWW trades at a 36.38 P/E and URI at 28.75.
Which has grown faster, GWW or URI?
Over the past five years, URI grew revenue faster — GWW at a 9.12% CAGR versus URI at 14.10%.
Does GWW or URI pay a bigger dividend?
GWW yields 0.74% and URI yields 0.70% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is GWW or URI more profitable?
URI runs the higher net margin — GWW at 9.70% versus URI at 15.32%.
Which has been the better investment, GWW or URI?
Over the past 10-year, URI delivered the higher annualized total return — GWW at 21.80% versus URI at 33.35%. 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 June 30, 2026.