Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV decreased its position in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW - Free Report) by 24.7% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,383 shares of the industrial products company's stock after selling 453 shares during the period. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV's holdings in W.W. Grainger were worth $1,366,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of W.W. Grainger in the first quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Investment Management Corp VA ADV purchased a new stake in W.W. Grainger during the fourth quarter worth $35,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC lifted its holdings in W.W. Grainger by 34.3% during the first quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 47 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $47,000 after buying an additional 12 shares during the period. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in W.W. Grainger during the fourth quarter worth $54,000. Finally, Columbia River Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in W.W. Grainger during the first quarter worth $65,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.70% of the company's stock.
W.W. Grainger Stock Performance
Shares of GWW stock opened at $970.60 on Friday. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $1,025.90 and its 200-day simple moving average is $1,023.36. The company has a market cap of $46.43 billion, a PE ratio of 24.63, a PEG ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a current ratio of 2.82, a quick ratio of 1.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a 12-month low of $893.99 and a 12-month high of $1,227.66.
W.W. Grainger (NYSE:GWW - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, August 1st. The industrial products company reported $9.97 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $10.07 by ($0.10). W.W. Grainger had a net margin of 10.99% and a return on equity of 49.63%. The firm had revenue of $4.55 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.52 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $9.76 earnings per share. W.W. Grainger's revenue was up 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that W.W. Grainger, Inc. will post 40.3 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
W.W. Grainger Announces Dividend
The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 1st. Investors of record on Monday, August 11th will be given a $2.26 dividend. This represents a $9.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 11th. W.W. Grainger's dividend payout ratio is presently 22.94%.
Insider Activity
In related news, VP Krantz Nancy L. Berardinelli sold 280 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Friday, May 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,075.20, for a total value of $301,056.00. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 3,369 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,622,348.80. This represents a 7.67% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 6.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
GWW has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on W.W. Grainger from $1,100.00 to $1,125.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 27th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their target price on W.W. Grainger from $1,176.00 to $1,007.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a report on Monday, August 4th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on W.W. Grainger from $1,215.00 to $1,160.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 11th. Finally, Loop Capital lowered their target price on W.W. Grainger from $1,000.00 to $950.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Monday, August 4th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, W.W. Grainger currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $1,080.38.
Check Out Our Latest Analysis on GWW
W.W. Grainger Profile
(
Free Report)
W.W. Grainger, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, distributes maintenance, repair, and operating products and services primarily in North America, Japan, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, High-Touch Solutions N.A. and Endless Assortment. The company provides safety, security, material handling and storage equipment, pumps and plumbing equipment, cleaning and maintenance, and metalworking and hand tools.
Further Reading
Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GWW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW - Free Report).

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.
Before you consider W.W. Grainger, you'll want to hear this.
MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and W.W. Grainger wasn't on the list.
While W.W. Grainger currently has a Hold rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.
View The Five Stocks Here
MarketBeat's analysts have just released their top five short plays for August 2025. Learn which stocks have the most short interest and how to trade them. Enter your email address to see which companies made the list.
Get This Free Report
Like this article? Share it with a colleague.
Link copied to clipboard.