GWW vs. MMM
GWW (W.W. Grainger, Inc.) and MMM (3M Company) are both stocks. Both are in the Industrials sector — GWW in Industrial Distribution, MMM in Conglomerates. Over the past 10 years, GWW returned 21.39%/yr vs 3.83%/yr for MMM. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
GWW vs. MMM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GWW achieves a 36.88% return, which is significantly higher than MMM's -0.66% return. Over the past 10 years, GWW has outperformed MMM with an annualized return of 21.39%, while MMM has yielded a comparatively lower 3.83% annualized return.
GWW
- 1D
- 0.80%
- 1M
- 4.70%
- 6M
- 34.12%
- YTD
- 36.88%
- 1Y
- 30.98%
- 3Y*
- 21.06%
- 5Y*
- 25.95%
- 10Y*
- 21.39%
MMM
- 1D
- 1.40%
- 1M
- -0.25%
- 6M
- -3.75%
- YTD
- -0.66%
- 1Y
- 2.97%
- 3Y*
- 26.59%
- 5Y*
- 2.30%
- 10Y*
- 3.83%
GWW vs. MMM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GWW W.W. Grainger, Inc. | 36.88% | -3.41% | 28.21% | 50.53% | 8.75% | 28.80% | 22.85% | 22.25% | 21.69% | 4.35% |
MMM 3M Company | -0.66% | 26.36% | 46.13% | -3.33% | -29.63% | 4.85% | 2.77% | -4.29% | -16.90% | 34.90% |
Correlation
The correlation between GWW and MMM is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.42 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.44 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 17, 1984 | 0.41 |
The correlation between GWW and MMM shifts across timeframes, from 0.34 (1 year) to 0.44 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
GWW:
$64.95B
MMM:
$82.16B
GWW:
$37.36
MMM:
$5.18
GWW:
36.83
MMM:
30.41
GWW:
3.57
MMM:
3.39
GWW:
16.59
MMM:
25.72
GWW:
$18.38B
MMM:
$25.02B
GWW:
$7.20B
MMM:
$9.89B
GWW:
$2.82B
MMM:
$5.28B
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Return for Risk
GWW vs. MMM — Risk / Return Rank
GWW
MMM
GWW vs. MMM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) and 3M Company (MMM). 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.
| GWW | MMM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.22 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.50 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.04 | +0.23 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.44 | 0.11 | +2.33 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.00 | 0.23 | +4.77 |
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Drawdowns
GWW vs. MMM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GWW drawdown since its inception was -56.73%, roughly equal to the maximum MMM drawdown of -59.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GWW and MMM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GWW | MMM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -56.73% | -59.10% | +2.37% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.35% | -18.77% | +5.42% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -24.50% | -22.87% | -1.63% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.50% | -53.34% | +28.84% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.60% | -59.10% | +17.50% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -8.91% | +8.91% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.99% | -16.09% | +5.10% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.51% | 8.70% | -2.19% |
Volatility
GWW vs. MMM - Volatility Comparison
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) has a higher volatility of 6.81% compared to 3M Company (MMM) at 6.08%. This indicates that GWW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MMM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GWW | MMM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.81% | 6.08% | +0.73% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 18.22% | 19.59% | -1.37% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 25.13% | 25.95% | -0.82% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.71% | 28.34% | -3.63% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 28.53% | 26.55% | +1.98% |
Dividends
GWW vs. MMM - Dividend Comparison
GWW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.67%, less than MMM's 1.92% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GWW W.W. Grainger, Inc. | 0.67% | 0.88% | 0.76% | 0.88% | 1.22% | 1.23% | 1.45% | 1.68% | 1.90% | 2.14% | 2.08% | 2.27% |
MMM 3M Company | 1.92% | 1.82% | 16.27% | 5.49% | 4.97% | 3.33% | 3.36% | 3.26% | 2.86% | 2.00% | 2.49% | 2.72% |
Financials
GWW vs. MMM - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between W.W. Grainger, Inc. and 3M Company. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
GWW vs. MMM - Profitability Comparison
GWW - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 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%.
MMM - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 2026, 3M Company reported a gross profit of 2.46B and revenue of 6.03B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 40.7%.
GWW - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 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%.
MMM - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 2026, 3M Company reported an operating income of 1.40B and revenue of 6.03B, resulting in an operating margin of 23.2%.
GWW - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 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%.
MMM - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 2026, 3M Company reported a net income of 653.00M and revenue of 6.03B, resulting in a net margin of 10.8%.
Frequently Asked Questions
GWW and MMM have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GWW has higher volatility (6.81%) compared to MMM (6.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GWW dropped -56.73% vs MMM's -59.10%.
GWW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.30 vs 0.08), 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.
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