WDFC

Basic Materials

WD-40 Company · Chemicals - Specialty · $3B

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
54.8
Good

WD-40 Company scores 54.8/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Basic Materials Sector
WDFC
54.8
Sector avg
38.2
Quality
Strong
Moat
Weak
Growth
Neutral
Risk
Strong
Valuation
Elevated

What is WD-40 Company?

WD-40 Company is a San Diego-based consumer and industrial products company best known for its iconic multi-purpose maintenance spray. It sells across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific through a portfolio of trusted household and professional brands.

The company generates revenue by developing and selling maintenance, lubrication, and homecare products to consumers, tradespeople, and industrial users worldwide. Its flagship WD-40 Multi-Use product anchors a broader lineup that includes specialty maintenance solutions, bike-care products, and household cleaning brands. Products reach customers through hardware stores, warehouse clubs, automotive parts outlets, and industrial distributors — a wide channel mix that supports consistent global demand.

WD-40 Company was incorporated in 1973 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.

  • WD-40 Multi-Use aerosol and trigger spray maintenance products
  • WD-40 Specialist penetrants, degreasers, and corrosion inhibitors
  • 3-IN-ONE drip oils and spray lubricants
  • GT85 professional bike maintenance sprays
  • Homecare brands including 2000 Flushes, Spot Shot, and Lava hand cleaner

Is WDFC a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates WDFC as Good overall, reflecting a balanced profile with meaningful strengths and one area of caution.

The Quality and Risk pillars both register as Strong — suggesting the business generates reliable earnings and carries a manageable financial risk profile relative to sector peers. That combination is relatively uncommon in the Basic Materials space and speaks to the durability of WD-40's brand-driven business model.

The Moat pillar scores as Weak, indicating that the structural competitive advantages protecting the business may be narrower than the brand's household recognition implies. Valuation is flagged as Elevated, meaning the current price may already reflect much of the company's fundamental quality.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does WDFC pay dividends?

Yes — WD-40 Company pays a dividend.

WD-40 Company pays a regular dividend, making it relevant for income-oriented investors. The company's consistent cash generation supports ongoing distributions, and management has historically prioritized returning capital to shareholders. Investors seeking dividend context — including yield category and payout history — can review the latest figures on WD-40's investor relations page.

When does WDFC report earnings?

WD-40 Company reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed equities.

The company's Strong Quality and Risk pillar ratings suggest earnings have been relatively stable, with the business demonstrating consistent profitability across its global distribution footprint. Growth has been Neutral, reflecting a mature brand portfolio expanding steadily rather than rapidly.

For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit WD-40 Company's official investor relations page.

WDFC Price History

-2.9% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in WD-40 Company?

$
Today it would be worth
$9,483
That's a -5.2% total return, or -1.1% annualized.

Based on WD-40 Company's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

WDFC Long-term Outlook

With a Neutral Growth pillar, WDFC's fundamental outlook points to steady rather than accelerating expansion. The company's international presence — particularly in emerging markets across Asia Pacific and EMEA — represents a plausible long-run growth avenue as maintenance product adoption rises. However, the Elevated Valuation pillar suggests the market has priced in a favorable scenario, leaving limited room for upside surprises. The Strong Risk profile provides some downside cushion, but investors should weigh the premium price against modest near-term growth expectations.

Growth drivers

  • Expanding distribution in Asia Pacific and EMEA markets
  • Cross-selling WD-40 Specialist and 3-IN-ONE into industrial channels
  • Premiumization of the WD-40 brand through specialty product lines

Key risks

  • Elevated valuation leaves little margin of safety if growth disappoints
  • Weak Moat score signals limited pricing power against private-label alternatives
  • Raw material cost volatility common to aerosol and chemical product manufacturers

WDFC vs Peers

WDFC operates in a fragmented maintenance and specialty chemicals space alongside larger diversified chemical companies and niche industrial product makers.

OLNWDFC scores higher
Olin Corporation

Olin is a large-scale chemicals and ammunition manufacturer — far more commodity-exposed than WD-40's branded consumer product model.

VNP.TOWDFC scores lower
5N Plus Inc.

5N Plus focuses on specialty semiconductor and pharmaceutical materials, occupying a more technology-adjacent niche than WD-40's maintenance products.

ASHWDFC scores higher
Ashland Inc.

Ashland is a specialty chemicals company serving industrial and consumer markets, competing with WD-40 in some maintenance and formulation segments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does WD-40 Company do?

WD-40 Company develops and sells maintenance, lubrication, and homecare products globally. Its portfolio spans the iconic WD-40 Multi-Use spray, WD-40 Specialist products, 3-IN-ONE lubricants, and household cleaning brands like Spot Shot and 2000 Flushes. Products are sold through hardware stores, warehouse clubs, and industrial distributors across more than 170 countries.

Does WDFC pay dividends?

Yes, WD-40 Company pays a regular dividend. The company's consistent cash generation has supported ongoing shareholder distributions over time. For current yield figures and payment history, investors should check WD-40's investor relations page or a financial data provider.

When does WDFC report earnings?

WD-40 Company reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard US-listed company practice. For the exact schedule and most recent results, visit the company's official investor relations page.

Is WDFC a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates WDFC as Good overall. The Quality and Risk pillars are both Strong, which is a favorable combination. However, the Moat pillar is Weak and Valuation is Elevated — factors worth weighing carefully. The full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.

Is WDFC overvalued?

The UQS Valuation pillar for WDFC is rated Elevated, suggesting the stock is priced at a premium relative to its fundamental profile. This does not mean the stock will decline, but it does imply the market has already priced in a favorable outlook, leaving less room for error.

How does WDFC compare to its competitors?

Compared to sector peers like Olin Corporation and Ashland, WD-40 stands out for its brand-driven consumer model rather than commodity chemical exposure. Its Strong Quality and Risk ratings differentiate it from more cyclical peers, though its Weak Moat score suggests the competitive buffer may be narrower than the brand's recognition implies.

What is WDFC's market cap bracket?

WD-40 Company is classified as a mid-cap stock. This places it in a range typically associated with established businesses that have moved beyond early growth phases but retain more flexibility than mega-cap multinationals.

Who founded WD-40 Company?

WD-40 Company traces its origins to the Rocket Chemical Company, founded in 1953. The WD-40 formula was developed by a small team of chemists in San Diego. The company was incorporated under its current name in 1973. Full founding history is publicly available through the company's official resources.

Is WDFC a long-term quality stock?

From a quality indicator standpoint, WDFC's Strong Quality and Risk pillars suggest the business has demonstrated consistent earnings and financial stability — traits often associated with long-term durability. The Elevated Valuation and Weak Moat are factors long-term investors should monitor. UQS Pro members can view the complete analysis.

What is the main competitive advantage of WD-40 Company?

WD-40's primary advantage is brand recognition — the blue-and-yellow can is one of the most recognized maintenance products globally. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this as Weak, suggesting that brand familiarity alone may not constitute a deep structural moat against private-label or specialty competitors.

What sector does WDFC belong to?

WDFC is classified under the Basic Materials sector. While the company's consumer-facing brands may feel more like a consumer staples business, its chemical formulation and maintenance product focus places it within materials industry classifications.

Is WDFC a growth stock or value stock?

Based on UQS pillar labels, WDFC leans neither strongly toward growth nor value. The Growth pillar is Neutral — indicating steady rather than rapid expansion — while the Valuation pillar is Elevated, which is atypical of a traditional value stock. It sits closer to a quality-at-a-premium profile.

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Pro Analysis

WDFC — Score History

4550556065Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 10 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 22, 202654.881.332.045.886.829.0-0.7
May 3, 202655.582.832.045.888.928.4+0.4
Apr 26, 202655.182.832.045.888.926.1-0.3
Apr 19, 202655.482.832.045.888.928.0-0.2
Apr 18, 202655.682.832.045.888.929.4-1.6
Apr 14, 202657.282.832.045.888.940.1+0.3
Apr 12, 202656.982.832.045.888.938.1-0.3
Apr 11, 202657.282.832.045.988.940.0+0.3
Apr 9, 202656.982.832.044.188.940.10.0
Apr 2, 202656.982.832.044.388.940.2

WDFC — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

81.3/100 (25%)

WD-40 Company demonstrates outstanding capital efficiency and profitability, placing it among the highest-quality businesses in the market.

Capital Efficiency (ROIC)Strong

How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.

Return on EquityStrong

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityModerate

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityStrong

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Gross Profit / AssetsStrong

Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.

Cash GenerationWeak

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

45.8/100 (20%)

WD-40 Company shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.

Recent Revenue TrendWeak

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRWeak

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthStrong

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookModerate

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthWeak

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

86.8/100 (15%)

WD-40 Company carries minimal financial risk with conservative leverage and strong solvency.

Financial LeverageStrong

Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.

Debt/EquityStrong

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioStrong

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageStrong

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

29.0/100 (15%)

WD-40 Company appears expensively valued relative to its fundamentals and growth prospects.

Earnings YieldWeak

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

Price to Free Cash FlowModerate

How many years of FCF the market cap represents.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorWeak

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

32/100 (25%)

WD-40 Company operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for WDFC.

Score Composition

Quality
81.3×25%20.3
Growth
45.8×20%9.2
Risk
86.8×15%13.0
Valuation
29.0×15%4.3
Moat
32.0×25%8.0
Total
54.8Good

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the WDFC UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for WD-40 Company is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses WD-40 Company's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether WD-40 Company is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.