CTAS vs. GWW

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

CTAS (Cintas Corporation) and GWW (W.W. Grainger, Inc.) are both stocks. Both are in the Industrials sector — CTAS in Specialty Business Services, GWW in Industrial Distribution. Over the past 10 years, CTAS returned 23.23%/yr vs 21.79%/yr for GWW. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

CTAS vs. GWW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Cintas Corporation (CTAS) and W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CTAS achieves a -9.45% return, which is significantly lower than GWW's 33.46% return. Over the past 10 years, CTAS has outperformed GWW with an annualized return of 23.23%, while GWW has yielded a comparatively lower 21.79% annualized return.

CTAS

• 1D: -0.82%
• 1M: -2.01%
• YTD: -9.45%
• 6M: -11.30%
• 1Y: -21.77%
• 3Y*: 12.98%
• 5Y*: 13.57%
• 10Y*: 23.23%

GWW

• 1D: -1.76%
• 1M: 7.50%
• YTD: 33.46%
• 6M: 30.13%
• 1Y: 30.45%
• 3Y*: 23.10%
• 5Y*: 26.01%
• 10Y*: 21.79%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

CTAS vs. GWW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CTAS Cintas Corporation	-9.45%	3.78%	22.24%	34.82%	2.97%	26.51%	32.74%	61.73%	9.04%	36.32%
GWW W.W. Grainger, Inc.	33.46%	-3.41%	28.21%	50.53%	8.75%	28.80%	22.85%	22.25%	21.69%	4.35%

Correlation

The correlation between CTAS and GWW is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.48
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 26, 1990	0.39

The correlation between CTAS and GWW shifts across timeframes, from 0.39 (all time) to 0.54 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap CTAS : $68.94B GWW : $63.58B
EPS CTAS : $4.75 GWW : $37.26
PE Ratio CTAS : 35.65 GWW : 36.00
PEG Ratio CTAS : 2.50 GWW : 2.08
PS Ratio CTAS : 6.26 GWW : 3.49
PB Ratio CTAS : 14.40 GWW : 16.18
Total Revenue (TTM) CTAS : $11.03B GWW : $18.38B
Gross Profit (TTM) CTAS : $1.33B GWW : $7.20B
EBITDA (TTM) CTAS : $2.66B GWW : $2.82B

Return for Risk

CTAS vs. GWW — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

CTAS

CTAS Risk / Return Rank: 8
CTAS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
CTAS Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
CTAS Omega Ratio Rank: 8
CTAS Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
CTAS Martin Ratio Rank: 9

GWW

GWW Risk / Return Rank: 75
GWW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
GWW Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
GWW Omega Ratio Rank: 75
GWW Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
GWW Martin Ratio Rank: 75

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

CTAS vs. GWW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cintas Corporation (CTAS) and W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	CTAS	GWW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.05	1.22	-2.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.40	1.71	-3.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.84	1.25	-0.41
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.80	2.29	-3.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.37	4.69	-6.06

CTAS vs. GWW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CTAS Sharpe Ratio is -1.05, which is lower than the GWW Sharpe Ratio of 1.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CTAS and GWW, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

CTAS vs. GWW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CTAS drawdown since its inception was -65.32%, which is greater than GWW's maximum drawdown of -56.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CTAS and GWW.

Drawdown Indicators

	CTAS	GWW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.32%	-56.73%	-8.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-27.23%	-13.35%	-13.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.68%	-24.50%	-3.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.68%	-24.50%	-3.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.38%	-41.60%	-6.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.86%	-1.76%	-23.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.04%	-11.00%	-4.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	15.95%	6.50%	+9.45%

Volatility

CTAS vs. GWW - Volatility Comparison

Cintas Corporation (CTAS) has a higher volatility of 8.70% compared to W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) at 5.71%. This indicates that CTAS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GWW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CTAS	GWW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.70%	5.71%	+2.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.22%	18.00%	-1.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.85%	25.03%	-4.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.61%	24.72%	-2.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.75%	28.57%	-1.82%

Dividends

CTAS vs. GWW - Dividend Comparison

CTAS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.06%, more than GWW's 0.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CTAS Cintas Corporation	1.06%	0.89%	0.80%	0.83%	0.93%	0.77%	0.99%	0.95%	1.22%	1.04%	1.15%	1.15%
GWW W.W. Grainger, Inc.	0.69%	0.88%	0.76%	0.88%	1.22%	1.23%	1.45%	1.68%	1.90%	2.14%	2.08%	2.27%

Financials

CTAS vs. GWW - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Cintas Corporation and W.W. Grainger, Inc. over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

CTAS - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Cintas Corporation reported a gross profit of -2.78B and revenue of 2.84B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was -97.8%.

GWW - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, W.W. Grainger, Inc. reported a gross profit of 1.90B and revenue of 4.74B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 40.0%.

CTAS - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Cintas Corporation reported an operating income of 659.90M and revenue of 2.84B, resulting in an operating margin of 23.2%.

GWW - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, W.W. Grainger, Inc. reported an operating income of 793.00M and revenue of 4.74B, resulting in an operating margin of 16.7%.

CTAS - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Cintas Corporation reported a net income of 502.50M and revenue of 2.84B, resulting in a net margin of 17.7%.

GWW - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, W.W. Grainger, Inc. reported a net income of 555.00M and revenue of 4.74B, resulting in a net margin of 11.7%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CTAS and GWW in my portfolio?

CTAS and GWW have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CTAS or GWW?

CTAS has higher volatility (8.70%) compared to GWW (5.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CTAS dropped -65.32% vs GWW's -56.73%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GWW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.22 vs -1.05), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.