A.O. Smith (AOS) vs Graco (GGG)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 11, 2026.
Summary
Graco (GGG) has outperformed A.O. Smith (AOS) over the past year, losing 2.5% versus a loss of 16.8%. Over five years, GGG leads with a +10.4% price change compared with -14.2% for AOS. Graco is the larger company by market cap ($12.67 billion vs $7.66 billion), about 1.7 times the size.
On valuation, A.O. Smith trades at a lower forward P/E (13.8x vs 22.3x for Graco). A.O. Smith offers the higher dividend yield (2.52% vs 1.48%). Graco converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 23.3% versus 14.3%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | AOS | GGG |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $56.38 | $78.21 |
| Market cap | $7.66B | $12.67B |
| 1-day change | -0.32% | -0.20% |
| YTD return | -15.70% | -4.59% |
| 1-year return | -16.78% | -2.52% |
| 5-year return | -14.19% | +10.36% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 15.70 | 24.59 |
| Forward P/E | 13.80 | 22.32 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.59 | $3.18 |
| Dividend yield | 2.52% | 1.48% |
| Annual dividend | $1.42 | $1.16 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.83B | $2.24B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +0.32% | +5.83% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $546.20M | $521.84M |
| Gross margin | 38.83% | 52.45% |
| Operating margin | 19.02% | 27.94% |
| Net margin | 14.26% | 23.33% |
| 52-week high | $81.87 | $95.69 |
| 52-week low | $54.16 | $72.51 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -31.13% | -18.27% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +24.00% | +16.72% |
| Average volume | 1.54M | 1.82M |
| Shares outstanding | 110.05M | 161.95M |
| Employees | 11,500 | 4,400 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Industrials |
| Industry | Consumer Electronics/Appliances | Fluid Controls |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- GGG has outperformed AOS by 14.3 percentage points over the past year.
- Graco trades at a higher earnings multiple (24.6x vs 15.7x trailing P/E).
- A.O. Smith offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.52% vs 1.48%).
- Graco is more profitable, keeping 23.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 14.3 cents for A.O. Smith.
- Graco grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+5.83% vs +0.32%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: A.O. Smith in Consumer Discretionary and Graco in Industrials.
About A.O. Smith
AOS stock →A. O.
Consumer Discretionary · Consumer Electronics/Appliances · 11,500 employees
About Graco
GGG stock →Graco Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets systems and equipment used to move, measure, mix, control, dispense, and spray fluid and powder materials in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific.
Industrials · Fluid Controls · 4,400 employees
AOS vs GGG FAQ
Which is bigger, A.O. Smith or Graco?
Graco (GGG) is larger, with a market capitalization of $12.67B compared with $7.66B for A.O. Smith (AOS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AOS or GGG?
GGG returned -2.52% over the past 12 months, compared with -16.78% for AOS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AOS or GGG?
AOS has the lower trailing P/E at 15.7, versus 24.6 for GGG. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, A.O. Smith or Graco?
A.O. Smith has the higher yield at 2.52%, compared with 1.48% for Graco.
Are A.O. Smith and Graco in the same industry?
No. A.O. Smith is in the Consumer Discretionary sector, while Graco is in Industrials.