Global Industrial (GIC) vs Pool (POOL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Global Industrial (GIC) has outperformed Pool (POOL) over the past year, gaining 24.1% versus a loss of 48.8%. Over five years, GIC leads with a +8.6% price change compared with -66.0% for POOL. Pool is the larger company by market cap ($5.60 billion vs $1.64 billion), about 3.4 times the size.
On valuation, Pool trades at a lower forward P/E (13.1x vs 19.5x for Global Industrial). Pool offers the higher dividend yield (3.28% vs 2.51%).
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 | GIC | POOL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $43.05 | $154.14 |
| Market cap | $1.64B | $5.60B |
| 1-day change | -0.90% | -2.59% |
| YTD return | +47.33% | -32.62% |
| 1-year return | +24.06% | -48.81% |
| 5-year return | +8.60% | -65.99% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 19.48 | 14.15 |
| Forward P/E | 19.52 | 13.11 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.21 | $10.89 |
| Dividend yield | 2.51% | 3.28% |
| Annual dividend | $1.08 | $5.05 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $5.29B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | -0.41% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $406.40M |
| Gross margin | — | 29.73% |
| Operating margin | — | 10.97% |
| Net margin | — | 7.68% |
| 52-week high | $44.36 | $305.63 |
| 52-week low | $26.40 | $153.55 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -2.95% | -49.57% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | -2.44% | +40.78% |
| Average volume | 132.85K | 780.03K |
| Shares outstanding | 38.11M | 36.34M |
| Employees | 1,980 | 6,000 |
| Sector | Industrials | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Industrial Machinery/Components | Industrial Specialties |
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
- Pool is about 3.4 times larger than Global Industrial by market value ($5.60B vs $1.64B).
- GIC has outperformed POOL by 72.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Global Industrial trades at a higher earnings multiple (19.5x vs 14.2x trailing P/E).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Global Industrial in Industrials and Pool in Consumer Discretionary.
About Global Industrial
GIC stock →Global Industrial Company, through its subsidiaries, operates as an industrial distributor of various industrial and maintenance, repair, and operation (MRO) products in the United States and Canada. It offers storage and shelving products, safety and security products, carts and trucks, HVAC and fans, furniture and decor, material handling products, janitorial and facility maintenance products, workbenches and shop desks, tools and instruments, plumbing and pumps, office and school supplies, packaging and shipping products, lighting and electrical products, foodservice and retail products, medical and laboratory products, motors and power transmission products, building supplies, machining products, fasteners and hardware, vehicle maintenance products, and raw materials.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 1,980 employees
About Pool
POOL stock →Pool Corporation distributes swimming pool supplies, equipment, related leisure, irrigation, and landscape maintenance products in the United States and internationally. It offers maintenance products, including chemicals, supplies, and pool accessories; repair and replacement parts for pool equipment, such as cleaners, filters, heaters, pumps, and lights; and building materials, such as concrete, plumbing and electrical components, functional and decorative pool surfaces, decking materials, tiles, hardscapes, and natural stones for pool installations and remodeling.
Consumer Discretionary · Industrial Specialties · 6,000 employees
GIC vs POOL FAQ
Which is bigger, Global Industrial or Pool?
Pool (POOL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $5.60B compared with $1.64B for Global Industrial (GIC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, GIC or POOL?
GIC returned +24.06% over the past 12 months, compared with -48.81% for POOL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, GIC or POOL?
POOL has the lower trailing P/E at 14.2, versus 19.5 for GIC. 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, Global Industrial or Pool?
Pool has the higher yield at 3.28%, compared with 2.51% for Global Industrial.
Are Global Industrial and Pool in the same industry?
No. Global Industrial is in the Industrials sector, while Pool is in Consumer Discretionary.