Gorman-Rupp (NYSE: $GRC) is a little known small-cap stock that operates in a very unsexy business. However, there’s nothing unattractive about the company’s stock performance.
Based in Mansfield, Ohio, Gorman-Rupp makes industrial pumps for use in municipal water and sewage systems, as well as for construction projects and the oil industry.
It’s not glamorous. But the pumps manufactured by Gorman-Rupp are necessary and essential to industrial areas of the economy.
And that means big returns for Gorman-Rupp’s stockholders. In the past year, GRC stock has risen 158%, including an 81% gain so far in 2025. The shares currently trade at $87.19 U.S.
At that pace, Gorman-Rupp’s stock has run circles around technology giants and artificial intelligence leaders such as Nvidia (NASDAQ: $NVDA) and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: $META)
In fact, GRC stock has hit successive all-time highs this year and risen 4,000% since 1992. The stock has outperformed despite having a small market capitalization of $2.31 billion U.S.
The company’s stock has been propelled higher by strong earnings. In April, Gorman-Rupp posted first quarter earnings per share (EPS) of $0.68 U.S., beating estimates of $0.53 U.S.
The company’s sales rose by 8% to $176.6 million U.S. in the first three months of this year.
Wall Street expects Gorman-Rupp to earn $2.63 U.S. per share this year, and $2.99 U.S. a share in 2027. If that’s right, it would mean the company tripled its earnings in five years.
The company also pays a dividend of $0.19 U.S. per share each quarter. And Gorman-Rupp is known as a “Dividend King,” having raised its distribution for 53 consecutive years.
For investors wanting a conservative and potentially defensive addition to their portfolio, they could do worse than Gorman-Rupp.
