With GWW Down 10% in a Day, Is It Time to Compare It Against MLI?
Mueller Industries (MLI) offers superior revenue growth across key periods, better profitability, and relatively lower valuation vs W.W. Grainger (GWW), suggesting you may be better off investing in MLI
- MLI’s quarterly revenue growth was 17.7%, vs. GWW’s 1.7%.
- In addition, its Last 12 Months revenue growth came in at 18.8%, ahead of GWW’s 3.7%.
- MLI leads on profitability over both periods – LTM margin of 19.7% and 3-year average of 21.1%.
GWW distributes MRO products and services, including safety supplies, material handling, plumbing, cleaning, and tools, through High-Touch Solutions and Endless Assortment segments. MLI manufactures and sells copper, brass, aluminum, and plastic products, including piping systems, industrial metal rods, and HVAC/refrigeration valves and fittings for OEMs.
Valuation & Performance Overview
| GWW | MLI | Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuation | |||
| P/EBIT Ratio | 17.0 | 12.0 | MLI |
| Revenue Growth | |||
| Last Quarter | 1.7% | 17.7% | MLI |
| Last 12 Months | 3.7% | 18.8% | MLI |
| Last 3 Year Average | 8.4% | 0.7% | GWW |
| Operating Margins | |||
| Last 12 Months | 15.3% | 19.7% | MLI |
| Last 3 Year Average | 15.2% | 21.1% | MLI |
| Momentum | |||
| Last 3 Year Return | 75.1% | 159.1% | MLI |
Note: For “Last 3 Year Return” metric, preferred stock is one with higher returns unless the returns are too high (>300%) which creates risk of sell off.
See more revenue details: GWW Revenue Comparison | MLI Revenue Comparison
See more margin details: GWW Operating Income Comparison | MLI Operating Income Comparison
But do these numbers tell the full story? Read Buy or Sell MLI Stock to see if Mueller Industries’s edge holds up under the hood or if W.W. Grainger still has cards to play (see Buy or Sell GWW Stock).
That is one way to look at stocks. Trefis High Quality Portfolio evaluates much more, and is designed to reduce stock-specific risk while giving upside exposure
Historical Market Performance
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | Avg | Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||||
| GWW Return | 23% | 29% | 9% | 51% | 28% | -1% | 234% | ||
| MLI Return | 12% | 71% | 1% | 62% | 71% | 8% | 504% | <=== | |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 8% | 98% | ||
| Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||||
| GWW Win Rate | 50% | 67% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 50% | 58% | ||
| MLI Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 33% | 58% | 75% | 50% | 58% | ||
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 50% | 61% | <=== | |
| Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||||
| GWW Max Drawdown | -38% | -11% | -14% | -3% | -2% | -13% | -13% | ||
| MLI Max Drawdown | -43% | -3% | -15% | -0% | -4% | -13% | -13% | ||
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | -12% | <=== | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] 2025 data is for the year till date (YTD)
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
No matter how good the numbers, stock investment is never a smooth ride. There is a risk you must factor in. Read MLI Dip Buyer Analyses and GWW Dip Buyer Analyses to see how these stocks have fallen and recovered in the past.