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GWW vs MSM
Which Stock Would AI Choose? W.W. Grainger (GWW) vs. MSC Industrial Direct (MSM) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- MSM has shown stronger recent momentum with a year-to-date return of 24.50%, outperforming GWW's 14.05%.
- GWW boasts a larger market capitalization of $54.36 billion compared to MSM's $5.73 billion, reflecting greater scale in industrial distribution.
- Both stocks operate in the maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) products sector, but MSM offers a higher dividend yield at 3.39% versus GWW's 0.81%.
- MSM recently hit a one-year high and received an analyst upgrade, while GWW announced a 10% dividend increase.
- Tickeron's analysis rates GWW as a Buy and MSM as a Hold, highlighting GWW's superior profit versus risk metrics.
Introduction
W.W. Grainger (GWW) and MSC Industrial Direct (MSM) are leading distributors of maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products, serving industrial and commercial clients. This stock comparison evaluates their recent market performance, financial metrics, and positioning amid evolving sector dynamics like supply chain shifts and industrial demand. Traders seeking momentum plays may eye relative strength, while long-term investors could prioritize stability and valuation. Understanding these contrasts aids in assessing opportunities in the industrials sector stock comparison.
GWW Overview and Recent Performance
W.W. Grainger (GWW), headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois, is a broad-line distributor of MRO products, tools, and safety gear, primarily serving businesses across North America. In recent market activity, GWW shares have traded around $1,149, with a year-to-date gain of 14.05% as of early May 2026. The stock experienced modest fluctuations in recent weeks, influenced by anticipation for upcoming quarterly earnings and a 10% increase in its quarterly dividend to $2.49 per share. Shareholder approvals at the annual meeting underscored confidence in growth strategies, including AI integration. Sentiment remains supported by robust fundamentals, including a trailing twelve-month (TTM) earnings per share (EPS) of $35.38 and price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 32.47, though higher debt levels pose a risk factor.
MSM Overview and Recent Performance
MSC Industrial Direct (MSM), based in Melville, New York, specializes in metalworking and MRO supplies for North American manufacturers. Shares have climbed to approximately $103 in recent trading, delivering a strong year-to-date return of 24.50%. Recent weeks saw upward momentum, including a new one-year high and a KeyBanc upgrade to Overweight with a $117 price target, following solid fiscal Q2 results with adjusted EPS of $0.82. Positive sales growth projections bolstered investor interest. Key metrics include a TTM EPS of $3.72, P/E ratio of 27.59, and attractive dividend yield of 3.39%. While revenue growth has been uneven, operational margin expansion to 7.5% signals improving efficiency amid market recovery.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Both GWW and MSM thrive in the MRO distribution space, but GWW's larger scale ($17.9B revenue vs. $3.83B) drives superior EBITDA ($2.77B vs. $395M), though at a premium valuation. MSM exhibits stronger recent momentum (1-year return 40.65% vs. 10%) and a lower P/E, appealing for value-oriented growth. Risk profiles differ: GWW offers stability with higher cash reserves but elevated debt, while MSM faces revenue volatility yet benefits from higher dividend appeal. Sector exposure to manufacturing recovery favors both, but MSM's short-term technical signals outpace GWW's in recent weeks, per relative performance data.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron's AI currently favors GWW with a Buy rating over MSM's Hold, citing stronger profit-versus-risk metrics and trend consistency despite MSM's momentum edge. GWW's market leadership and catalysts like dividend hikes position it better for sustained outperformance in stable conditions, though MSM shows probabilistic upside from upgrades.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full Disclaimers and Limitations.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is GWW is a StrongBuy and MSM is a Buy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
GWW’s FA Score shows that 4 FA rating(s) are green whileMSM’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- GWW’s FA Score: 4 green, 1 red.
- MSM’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
GWW’s TA Score shows that 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while MSM’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- GWW’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
- MSM’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
GWW (@Electronics Distributors) experienced а +7.57% price change this week, while MSM (@Electronics Distributors) price change was +6.05% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronics Distributors industry was -0.02%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +2.38%, and the average quarterly price growth was +13.04%.
Reported Earning Dates
GWW is expected to report earnings on Aug 04, 2026.
MSM is expected to report earnings on Jul 07, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electronics Distributors (-0.02% weekly)Electronics distributors are companies that are involved in distribution of one or more of the following: electronic components, computer products/ peripherals and software products & services. Several electronics distributors are also becoming the point of contact for technical/pre- & post-sale support in many cases, in an attempt to bolster their position in the market. Tariffs and/or cross-border trade barriers are some of the potential threats to the electronics supply chain, but that could also potentially lead to re-directing to markets where tariffs/restrictions are lower depending on demand. The industry is also vulnerable in the event of economic slowdowns. Arrow Electronics, Inc., SYNNEX Corporation and Versum Materials, Inc. are some of the major electronics distributors in the U.S.
| GWW | MSM | GWW / MSM | |
| Capitalization | 57.9B | 5.99B | 966% |
| EBITDA | 2.88B | 395M | 730% |
| Gain YTD | 21.985 | 30.191 | 73% |
| P/E Ratio | 32.97 | 28.85 | 114% |
| Revenue | 18.4B | 3.83B | 480% |
| Total Cash | 585M | 46.2M | 1,266% |
| Total Debt | 2.86B | 559M | 512% |
GWW | MSM | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 63 | 70 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 85 Overvalued | 37 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 13 | 41 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 20 | 55 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 33 | 44 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 31 | 20 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 65 | 55 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
MSM's Valuation (37) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is somewhat better than the same rating for GWW (85). This means that MSM’s stock grew somewhat faster than GWW’s over the last 12 months.
GWW's Profit vs Risk Rating (13) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as MSM (41). This means that GWW’s stock grew similarly to MSM’s over the last 12 months.
GWW's SMR Rating (20) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is somewhat better than the same rating for MSM (55). This means that GWW’s stock grew somewhat faster than MSM’s over the last 12 months.
GWW's Price Growth Rating (33) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as MSM (44). This means that GWW’s stock grew similarly to MSM’s over the last 12 months.
MSM's P/E Growth Rating (20) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as GWW (31). This means that MSM’s stock grew similarly to GWW’s over the last 12 months.
| GWW | MSM | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 42% | 2 days ago 69% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 54% | 2 days ago 60% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 57% | N/A |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 68% | N/A |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 59% | 2 days ago 50% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 44% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 58% | 7 days ago 51% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 51% | 5 days ago 59% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 57% | 2 days ago 63% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 45% | 2 days ago 43% |
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MSM and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, MSM has been loosely correlated with AIT. These tickers have moved in lockstep 64% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if MSM jumps, then AIT could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To MSM | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSM | 100% | +2.92% | ||
| AIT - MSM | 64% Loosely correlated | +0.54% | ||
| GWW - MSM | 58% Loosely correlated | -0.42% | ||
| DSGR - MSM | 58% Loosely correlated | -0.47% | ||
| TITN - MSM | 51% Loosely correlated | -0.88% | ||
| BXC - MSM | 50% Loosely correlated | -3.63% | ||
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