Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (SWK) vs Watsco, Inc. (WSO)

A side-by-side comparison of Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. and Watsco, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 3, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnSWK vs WSO

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
SWK +1.9% (+0.2%/yr)WSO +186.3% (+11.1%/yr)WSO compounded faster over this window
100200300400500Start $10020182020202220242026$102$286
SWK WSO

SWK vs WSO: by the numbers

  • SWK is the larger company ($14.57B vs $12.99B market cap).
  • SWK trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (23.75 vs 26.68 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • WSO converts more revenue to profit (6.53% vs 4.07% net margin).
  • WSO grew revenue faster over the past five years (5.11% vs -0.16% CAGR).
  • WSO pays the higher dividend yield (4.08% vs 2.57%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricSWKWSO
P/E ratio23.7526.68
Forward P/E21.3125.58
P/S ratio0.971.62
P/B ratio1.653.93
EV / EBITDA10.8816.50
FCF yield8.73%5.93%

Profitability

MetricSWKWSO
Gross margin31.72%27.87%
Operating margin8.34%9.32%
Net margin4.07%6.53%
ROE6.93%15.89%
ROIC5.92%13.49%

Dividends

MetricSWKWSO
Dividend yield2.57%4.08%
Payout ratio93.96%102.86%

Growth (annualized)

MetricSWKWSO
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-0.16%5.11%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-19.52%11.75%
FCF CAGR (5Y)0.62%15.78%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-9.70%4.39%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, SWK or WSO?
SWK has the lower trailing P/E: SWK trades at 23.75 and WSO at 26.68. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, SWK or WSO?
Over the past five years, WSO grew revenue faster — SWK at a -0.16% CAGR versus WSO at 5.11%.
Does SWK or WSO pay a bigger dividend?
SWK yields 2.57% and WSO yields 4.08% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is SWK or WSO more profitable?
WSO runs the higher net margin — SWK at 4.07% versus WSO at 6.53%.
How have SWK and WSO total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, SWK delivered 0.19% and WSO delivered 10.92% 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 3, 2026.