W.W. Grainger, Inc. $GWW Shares Sold by Fruth Investment Management

Key Points

• Fruth Investment Management has reduced its stake in W.W. Grainger, Inc. by 2.1%, now holding 18,022 shares, making Grainger its largest position at a value of approximately $17.8 million.
• W.W. Grainger reported quarterly earnings of $9.97 EPS, falling short of estimates, although revenue increased by 5.6% year-over-year to $4.55 billion.
• The company has declared a quarterly dividend of $2.26 per share, representing an annualized dividend of $9.04 with a yield of 0.9%.

Fruth Investment Management lessened its holdings in shares of W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW - Free Report) by 2.1% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 18,022 shares of the industrial products company's stock after selling 390 shares during the quarter. W.W. Grainger accounts for 4.9% of Fruth Investment Management's portfolio, making the stock its largest position. Fruth Investment Management's holdings in W.W. Grainger were worth $17,802,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Golden State Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in W.W. Grainger by 1,685.7% during the 1st quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 125 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $123,000 after purchasing an additional 118 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. grew its stake in W.W. Grainger by 5.3% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 5,095 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $5,033,000 after purchasing an additional 256 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its stake in W.W. Grainger by 116.0% during the 1st quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 33,917 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $33,506,000 after purchasing an additional 18,216 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in shares of W.W. Grainger by 2.2% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 701 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $692,000 after acquiring an additional 15 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. grew its position in shares of W.W. Grainger by 30.7% in the 1st quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. now owns 6,836 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $6,753,000 after acquiring an additional 1,605 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.70% of the company's stock.

W.W. Grainger Trading Up 2.1%

Shares of NYSE GWW opened at $1,015.32 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $48.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.88 and a beta of 1.18. W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a 12-month low of $893.99 and a 12-month high of $1,227.66. The company has a current ratio of 2.82, a quick ratio of 1.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $1,009.41 and its 200 day simple moving average is $1,018.81.

W.W. Grainger (NYSE:GWW - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly 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). The company had revenue of $4.55 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.52 billion. W.W. Grainger had a return on equity of 49.63% and a net margin of 10.99%.The company's revenue for the quarter was up 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $9.76 EPS. W.W. Grainger has set its FY 2025 guidance at 38.500-40.250 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that W.W. Grainger, Inc. will post 40.3 EPS for the current year.

W.W. Grainger Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 1st. Investors of record on Monday, August 11th were issued a $2.26 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 11th. This represents a $9.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.9%. W.W. Grainger's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 22.94%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

GWW has been the subject of several research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased 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 research report on Monday, August 4th. Morgan Stanley decreased 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 research report on Friday, July 11th. Loop Capital decreased their target price on W.W. Grainger from $1,000.00 to $950.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 4th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on W.W. Grainger from $1,125.00 to $1,035.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, September 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $1,069.13.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Jonny M. Leroy sold 500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $992.86, for a total value of $496,430.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 1,771 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,758,355.06. This trade represents a 22.02% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 6.10% of the company's stock.

W.W. Grainger Profile

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.

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