GGG vs. LECO

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

GGG (Graco Inc.) and LECO (Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.) are both stocks. Both are in the Industrials sector — GGG in Specialty Industrial Machinery, LECO in Tools & Accessories. Over the past 10 years, GGG returned 12.04%/yr vs 17.53%/yr for LECO. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

GGG vs. LECO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Graco Inc. (GGG) and Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (LECO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GGG achieves a -9.05% return, which is significantly lower than LECO's 6.45% return. Over the past 10 years, GGG has underperformed LECO with an annualized return of 12.04%, while LECO has yielded a comparatively higher 17.53% annualized return.

GGG

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: -6.49%
• YTD: -9.05%
• 6M: -9.61%
• 1Y: -10.41%
• 3Y*: -1.23%
• 5Y*: 1.16%
• 10Y*: 12.04%

LECO

• 1D: 0.84%
• 1M: -4.50%
• YTD: 6.45%
• 6M: 7.79%
• 1Y: 35.08%
• 3Y*: 13.40%
• 5Y*: 16.09%
• 10Y*: 17.53%

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

GGG vs. LECO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GGG Graco Inc.	-9.05%	-1.46%	-1.68%	30.62%	-15.48%	12.56%	40.97%	25.94%	-6.34%	65.60%
LECO Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.	6.45%	29.63%	-12.55%	52.61%	5.42%	21.89%	22.97%	25.41%	-12.24%	21.37%

Correlation

The correlation between GGG and LECO is 0.65, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 1995	0.51

The correlation between GGG and LECO shifts across timeframes, from 0.51 (all time) to 0.71 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

EPS GGG : $4.09 LECO : $9.68
PE Ratio GGG : 18.12 LECO : 26.26
PEG Ratio GGG : 3.56 LECO : 1.14
PS Ratio GGG : 4.16 LECO : 3.25
Total Revenue (TTM) GGG : $2.25B LECO : $4.35B
Gross Profit (TTM) GGG : $1.18B LECO : $1.57B
EBITDA (TTM) GGG : $712.41M LECO : $807.88M

Return for Risk

GGG vs. LECO — Risk / Return Rank

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

GGG

GGG Risk / Return Rank: 16
GGG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
GGG Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
GGG Omega Ratio Rank: 17
GGG Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
GGG Martin Ratio Rank: 7

LECO

LECO Risk / Return Rank: 74
LECO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
LECO Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
LECO Omega Ratio Rank: 71
LECO Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
LECO Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

GGG vs. LECO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Graco Inc. (GGG) and Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (LECO). 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.

	GGG	LECO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.55	1.33	-1.88
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.67	2.05	-2.72
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.92	1.24	-0.32
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.52	1.65	-2.17
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.41	4.53	-5.94
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GGG vs. LECO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GGG Sharpe Ratio is -0.55, which is lower than the LECO Sharpe Ratio of 1.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GGG and LECO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GGG	LECO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.55	1.33	-1.88
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.05	0.61	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.64	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.42	+0.01

Drawdowns

GGG vs. LECO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GGG drawdown since its inception was -68.77%, roughly equal to the maximum LECO drawdown of -68.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GGG and LECO.

Drawdown Indicators

	GGG	LECO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.77%	-68.89%	+0.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.74%	-20.09%	-1.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.74%	-34.29%	+12.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.98%	-34.29%	+5.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.60%	-38.89%	+8.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.64%	-14.65%	-6.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.10%	-13.51%	+1.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.05%	7.31%	+0.74%

Volatility

GGG vs. LECO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Graco Inc. (GGG) is 4.73%, while Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (LECO) has a volatility of 7.27%. This indicates that GGG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LECO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GGG	LECO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.73%	7.27%	-2.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.17%	19.77%	-5.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.02%	26.52%	-7.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.63%	26.54%	-3.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.76%	27.39%	-2.63%

Dividends

GGG vs. LECO - Dividend Comparison

GGG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.54%, more than LECO's 1.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GGG Graco Inc.	1.54%	1.34%	1.21%	1.08%	1.25%	0.93%	0.97%	1.23%	1.27%	1.06%	1.59%	1.67%
LECO Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.	1.21%	1.27%	1.54%	1.21%	1.61%	1.50%	1.70%	1.96%	2.08%	1.57%	1.71%	2.29%

Financials

GGG vs. LECO - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Graco Inc. and Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

GGG - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Graco Inc. reported a gross profit of 280.64M and revenue of 540.14M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 52.0%.

LECO - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. reported a gross profit of 399.13M and revenue of 1.12B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 35.6%.

GGG - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Graco Inc. reported an operating income of 137.78M and revenue of 540.14M, resulting in an operating margin of 25.5%.

LECO - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. reported an operating income of 186.16M and revenue of 1.12B, resulting in an operating margin of 16.6%.

GGG - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Graco Inc. reported a net income of 118.51M and revenue of 540.14M, resulting in a net margin of 21.9%.

LECO - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. reported a net income of 136.38M and revenue of 1.12B, resulting in a net margin of 12.2%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GGG and LECO in my portfolio?

GGG and LECO have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GGG or LECO?

LECO has higher volatility (7.27%) compared to GGG (4.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GGG dropped -68.77% vs LECO's -68.89%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LECO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.33 vs -0.55), 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.