WESCO InternationalWCC -0.32%84 Operating Margin % is 4.83% as of Mar. 2026, which is 8% above its 10-year median of 4.46. GuruFocus rates WCC with a GF Score™ of 84/100 and a GF Value™ of $204.39 (Significantly Overvalued). The stock has 7 warning signs investors should review. Among 157 Industrial Distribution companies, WESCO International ranks better than 56.69% on this metric.
WESCO International (NYSE:WCC) Operating Margin % Explanation
Just like Gross Margin %, it is important to see a company maintains its operating margin over time. Among the same industry, a company with higher operating margin is more efficient in its operation. It is also more stable during industry slowdown or recessions. Peter Lynch prefers those with higher margins than those with lower margins.
Be Aware
Operating Margin % can be manipulated by adjusting the rate of depreciation, depletion and amortization (DDA).
If a company is facing competition, its Operating Margin % may decline. Often the Operating Margin % declines well before the company's Revenue or even profit decline. Therefore, Operating Margin % is a very important indicator of whether the company is facing problems.
For instance, by 2012, Nokia (NOK)'s problems were well known and its stock had lost more than 90% of its market value since 2007. But Nokias Operating Margin % had already been in decline since 2002, although its Earnings per Share (Diluted) were still rising. Investors who paid attention to Operating Margin % would have avoided this huge loss. The same can be said for Research-in-Motion (RIMM).
Therefore, Operating Margin % is a very important screening filter for GuruFocus. GuruFocus's Buffett-Munger screener requires that the profit margin is either consistent or expanding. The Model Portfolio of the Buffett-Munger screener has outperformed the market every year since inception in 2009.
WESCO International Operating Margin % Related Terms
WESCO International Operating Margin % Historical Data
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The historical data trend for WESCO International's Operating Margin % can be seen below:
* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD. * For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.
WCC vs WSO, QXO, AIT: Operating Margin % Comparison
For the Industrial Distribution subindustry, WESCO International's Operating Margin %, along with its competitors' market caps and Operating Margin % data, can be viewed below:
* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.
WESCO International Operating Margin % vs Industrial Distribution Industry
For the Industrial Distribution industry and Industrials sector, WESCO International's Operating Margin % distribution charts can be found below:
* The bar in red indicates where WESCO International's Operating Margin % falls into.
WESCO International Operating Margin % Calculation
Operating Margin % - also known as operating income margin, operating profit margin and return on sales (ROS) - is the ratio of Operating Income divided by net sales or Revenue, usually presented in percent.
WESCO International's Operating Margin % for the fiscal year that ended in Dec. 2025 is calculated as
* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD. * For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.
WESCO International (WCC) has a Operating Margin % of 4.83% as of Mar. 2026. Operating margin is the ratio of total operating income to net sales. View historical data on WESCO International and its competitors. This is near median its historical median of 4.46. Over the past decade, WESCO International's Operating Margin % has ranged from 2.82 to 6.71. According to the industry distribution chart, WESCO International ranks #68 out of 157 companies in the Industrial Distribution industry, placing it in the top 43.3%.
Is WESCO International's Operating Margin % too high?
WESCO International's current Operating Margin % of 4.83% is near median its 10-year median of 4.46. Over the past 10 years, this metric has ranged from a low of 2.82 to a high of 6.71. The Industrial Distribution industry median Operating Margin % is 4.74. WESCO International's value of 4.83% is 1.9% above this industry median. Based on the distribution chart, WESCO International ranks #68 out of 157 companies in the Industrial Distribution industry, which is above the industry midpoint. Overall, WESCO International has a GF Score™ of 84/100 and is considered Significantly Overvalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does WESCO International's Operating Margin % compare to WSO and QXO?
According to the Industrial Distribution industry distribution chart, WESCO International ranks #68 out of 157 companies for Operating Margin %. This puts WESCO International in the upper half of its industry. The industry median Operating Margin % is 4.74. WESCO International's value of 4.83% is 1.9% above this benchmark. Historically, WESCO International's own Operating Margin % has ranged from 2.82 to 6.71 over the past decade. While the company's 10-year median is 4.46 vs. the industry median of 4.74, WESCO International has consistently been above the industry average. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Operating Margin % for an Industrial Distribution company?
The median Operating Margin % among Industrial Distribution companies is 4.74, based on 157 companies in the industry. Companies in the top quartile (top 25%) have a Operating Margin % significantly above this median, while those in the bottom quartile fall well below. However, Operating Margin % should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. WESCO International's current Operating Margin % of 4.83% is 1.9% above the industry median. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Operating Margin % mean?
A high Operating Margin % can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Operating margin is the ratio of total operating income to net sales. View historical data on WESCO International and its competitors. For the Industrial Distribution industry, the median Operating Margin % is 4.74 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. WESCO International's current Operating Margin % is 4.83%, which is near median its own 10-year median of 4.46. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is WESCO International stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, WESCO International (WCC) is currently considered Significantly Overvalued. The stock's GF Value™ is $204.39, compared to a current price of $351.97 — trading 72.2% above its estimated fair value. The current Operating Margin % is 4.83%, which is near median its 10-year median of 4.46 and 1.9% above the Industrial Distribution industry median of 4.74. WESCO International's overall GF Score™ is 84/100 with 7 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Operating Margin % calculated?
Operating Margin % is calculated from a company's financial statements. For WESCO International (WCC), the current Operating Margin % is 4.83% as of Mar. 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.
Is WESCO International (WCC) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, WESCO International stock appears to be overvalued.
The current stock price of $351.97 is trading 72.2% above its estimated GF Value™ of $204.39.
GuruFocus considers WESCO International to be Significantly Overvalued.
Key valuation signals for WCC:
Operating Margin %: 4.83% (near median its 10-year median of 4.46)
GF Value™: $204.39 vs. price of $351.97 (72.2% above fair value)
Industry Position: 1.9% above the Industrial Distribution median (#68 of 157)
No single metric tells the full story. See the WCC stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
Wesco can be traced back to the late 1800s but was officially founded in 1922, acting as the distribution arm of Westinghouse Electric. Throughout the 1900s, Wesco entered and subsequently exited the consumer electronics, transit, bottling, and nuclear plant distribution markets. It was sold to a private equity firm in 1994 and then went public in 1999, and numerous acquisitions have since been made to fill the gaps in Wesco's geographical and product coverage. Today, the firm primarily distributes electrical, networking, security, and utility equipment used in the construction and repair of structures such as offices, data centers, power transmission lines, and manufacturing plants. Wesco has operations around the globe but generates the majority of its revenue in the United States.
84GF Score
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