Q1 EPS Estimates for W.W. Grainger Lowered by Zacks Research

Key Points

• W.W. Grainger's earnings per share (EPS) estimate for Q1 2026 has been cut from $10.67 to $10.38 by Zacks Research, with a full-year 2023 consensus estimate of $40.30 per share.
• The company's most recent quarterly earnings of $9.97 EPS fell short of expectations by $0.10, despite a revenue increase of 5.6% year over year.
• W.W. Grainger's stock currently holds a consensus target price of $1,080.38 with most analysts rating it as a "Hold."

W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW - Free Report) - Analysts at Zacks Research lowered their Q1 2026 EPS estimates for W.W. Grainger in a report released on Wednesday, August 13th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the industrial products company will post earnings of $10.38 per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $10.67. The consensus estimate for W.W. Grainger's current full-year earnings is $40.30 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for W.W. Grainger's FY2026 earnings at $43.08 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $11.28 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $47.07 EPS.

W.W. Grainger (NYSE:GWW - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, August 1st. The industrial products company reported $9.97 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates 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 for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.52 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $9.76 earnings per share. W.W. Grainger's quarterly revenue was up 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. W.W. Grainger has set its FY 2025 guidance at 38.500-40.250 EPS.

A number of other equities research analysts have also commented on GWW. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price target on W.W. Grainger from $1,176.00 to $1,007.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, August 4th. Loop Capital dropped their price target on W.W. Grainger from $1,000.00 to $950.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 4th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on W.W. Grainger from $1,215.00 to $1,160.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 11th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on W.W. Grainger from $1,100.00 to $1,125.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, W.W. Grainger presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $1,080.38.

W.W. Grainger Stock Down 0.7%

Shares of GWW traded down $7.49 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $992.14. 111,797 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 287,606. The firm's 50 day moving average is $1,020.48 and its 200-day moving average is $1,021.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57, a quick ratio of 1.64 and a current ratio of 2.82. The company has a market cap of $47.45 billion, a PE ratio of 25.18, a PEG ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 1.18. W.W. Grainger has a 52 week low of $893.99 and a 52 week high of $1,227.66.

W.W. Grainger Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 1st. Investors of record on Monday, August 11th will be issued a $2.26 dividend. This represents a $9.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 11th. W.W. Grainger's dividend payout ratio is currently 22.94%.

Insider Buying and Selling at W.W. Grainger

In other W.W. Grainger news, VP Krantz Nancy L. Berardinelli sold 280 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,075.20, for a total value of $301,056.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president owned 3,369 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,622,348.80. This trade represents a 7.67% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 6.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its position in W.W. Grainger by 46.8% during the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 320 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $338,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares during the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC lifted its stake in W.W. Grainger by 97.5% during the 4th quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 1,404 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $1,480,000 after acquiring an additional 693 shares during the period. Zacks Investment Management lifted its stake in shares of W.W. Grainger by 2.1% in the 4th quarter. Zacks Investment Management now owns 545 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $575,000 after purchasing an additional 11 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP acquired a new position in shares of W.W. Grainger in the 4th quarter valued at $6,083,000. Finally, Farringdon Capital Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of W.W. Grainger in the 4th quarter valued at $251,000. Institutional investors own 80.70% of the company's stock.

W.W. Grainger Company 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.