Q3 EPS Estimates for W.W. Grainger Lifted by Zacks Research

Key Points

• Zacks Research raised W.W. Grainger’s Q3 2027 EPS estimate to $12.81 from $12.77, while full-year consensus EPS stands at $46.17. Zacks also increased several future-period estimates, reflecting modestly improved earnings expectations.
• Grainger’s latest quarter exceeded analyst expectations, with EPS of $12.01 versus $11.30 expected and revenue of $5.02 billion versus $4.96 billion. Revenue grew 10.3% year over year, and the company issued fiscal 2026 EPS guidance of $45.50–$47.25.
• Despite strong operating results, analyst sentiment remains cautious: the stock carries a consensus “Hold” rating and a $1,286.62 target price, while shares trade near $1,305.72 at roughly 33 times earnings. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $2.49 per share, yielding about 0.8%.

W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW - Free Report) - Equities researchers at Zacks Research increased their Q3 2027 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of W.W. Grainger in a note issued to investors on Thursday, August 27th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the industrial products company will post earnings of $12.81 per share for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $12.77. The consensus estimate for W.W. Grainger's current full-year earnings is $46.17 per share.

Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Wolfe Research upgraded shares of W.W. Grainger from an "underperform" rating to a "peer perform" rating in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of W.W. Grainger from $1,300.00 to $1,400.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday, August 24th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of W.W. Grainger from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price target on shares of W.W. Grainger from $1,460.00 to $1,428.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, Oppenheimer upped their price objective on W.W. Grainger from $1,350.00 to $1,375.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $1,286.62.

W.W. Grainger Stock Down 0.0%

Shares of NYSE:GWW opened at $1,305.72 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $61.50 billion, a PE ratio of 33.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.32 and a beta of 1.04. W.W. Grainger has a 1 year low of $906.52 and a 1 year high of $1,419.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 2.81 and a quick ratio of 1.70. The firm's 50-day moving average is $1,342.92 and its two-hundred day moving average is $1,235.14.

W.W. Grainger (NYSE:GWW - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The industrial products company reported $12.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $11.30 by $0.71. The firm had revenue of $5.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.96 billion. W.W. Grainger had a return on equity of 48.73% and a net margin of 9.92%.W.W. Grainger's revenue was up 10.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $9.97 EPS. W.W. Grainger has set its FY 2026 guidance at 45.500-47.250 EPS.

W.W. Grainger Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Investors of record on Monday, August 10th will be paid a dividend of $2.49 per share. This represents a $9.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 10th. W.W. Grainger's dividend payout ratio is presently 25.40%.

Institutional Trading of W.W. Grainger

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Avantax Planning Partners Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of W.W. Grainger by 1.9% during the fourth quarter. Avantax Planning Partners Inc. now owns 483 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $487,000 after buying an additional 9 shares in the last quarter. Hohimer Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of W.W. Grainger by 1.2% in the fourth quarter. Hohimer Wealth Management LLC now owns 788 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $795,000 after acquiring an additional 9 shares in the last quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. grew its stake in shares of W.W. Grainger by 0.4% in the second quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. now owns 2,358 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $3,208,000 after acquiring an additional 9 shares in the last quarter. Legacy Financial Advisors Inc. increased its position in W.W. Grainger by 4.7% during the second quarter. Legacy Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 202 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $274,000 after acquiring an additional 9 shares during the period. Finally, Sawyer & Company Inc increased its position in W.W. Grainger by 1.5% during the fourth quarter. Sawyer & Company Inc now owns 676 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $682,000 after acquiring an additional 10 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.70% of the company's stock.

W.W. Grainger News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting W.W. Grainger this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks upgraded GWW to a No. 2 (Buy) rank, citing growing optimism about the company’s earnings prospects. Zacks rating upgrade article
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised multiple future EPS estimates, including FY2027 to $50.40 from $50.21 and FY2028 to $54.37 from $54.17. Estimates were also increased for Q1 2027, Q2 2027, Q4 2027 and Q2 2028, suggesting modestly improving expectations for profitability. MarketBeat analyst estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Grainger’s latest reported quarter exceeded expectations, with EPS of $12.01 versus the $11.30 consensus and revenue of $5.02 billion versus $4.96 billion. Revenue increased 10.3% year over year, supporting the case for continued earnings growth.
• Neutral Sentiment: Wall Street commentary is mixed: GWW has outperformed the broader market over the past year, but analysts remain cautious about its future upside. Barchart analyst outlook article
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation may be limiting enthusiasm. Grainger trades at roughly 33 times earnings, while its shares are below the 50-day moving average after approaching a 12-month high. Investors may be taking profits or demanding stronger estimate increases before bidding the stock higher. MSN analyst outlook article

About W.W. Grainger

W.W. Grainger, Inc NYSE: GWW is an industrial supply distributor founded in 1927 and headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois. The company supplies maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products and services to businesses, institutions and government customers. Over its long history Grainger has developed a broad product assortment and a national distribution network that supports operations across a range of end markets, including manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, transportation and public sector organizations.

Grainger's product portfolio spans core categories such as electrical and lighting, safety and personal protective equipment, material handling, motors and power transmission, plumbing and HVAC, fasteners and adhesives, hand and power tools, and janitorial and facility supplies.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.

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