W.W. GRAINGER, INC.GWW
W.W. GRAINGER, INC. Financial Overview 2021–2025
Updated Jul 10, 2026W.W. Grainger proved the resilience of its dual-engine distribution model in FY2025, absorbing a $186 million loss from its U.K. market exit while still driving a 16% sales surge in its Endless Assortment segment. This structural transition forms the core investment thesis: the industrial distributor has successfully layered a high-growth online customer acquisition engine on top of its established, cash-generating North American supply network. The strategy has yielded substantial top-line expansion, as net sales grew from $13.02 billion in FY2021 to $17.94 billion in FY2025.
While elevated payroll and marketing costs pushed FY2025 operating earnings down 5.4% to $2.50 billion, the company's underlying capital allocation remained highly shareholder-friendly. Grainger executed $1.05 billion in stock repurchases and paid $467 million in dividends during the year. Operational leverage then sharply rebounded by Q1 2026, with operating earnings jumping 18.0% alongside a 10.1% revenue increase to $4.74 billion. Investors have heavily rewarded this predictable cash flow and steady margin profile. At the close of FY2025, the market valued the stock at $1009.05 per share, commanding a 28.5x price-to-earnings multiple against the year's base of $35.40 in earnings per share.
Recent Developments (Q4 2025 and Q1 2026)
In Q1 2026, daily, organic constant currency net sales jumped 12.2%, driving net earnings up 15.9% to $555 million. Diluted earnings per share reached $11.65, marking an 18.2% year-over-year increase. Grainger supported this volume with higher quarterly capital expenditures of $178 million, primarily targeting MonotaRO supply chain expansion. This follows elevated FY2025 capital expenditures of $684 million and a 9.5% rise in annual selling, general, and administrative expenses. Total available liquidity expanded to $1.9 billion during the quarter. Separately, shareholders elected all management director nominees at the May annual meeting.
Bulls highlight the non-discretionary nature of Grainger's products, which fueled double-digit earnings growth despite macroeconomic volatility. Bears caution that persistent overhead inflation requires flawless supply chain execution to protect long-term margins. The stock closed at $1234.10, trading at a premium 34.9x earnings as of the May 7, 2026 reporting date.
What to watch: returns on the ongoing MonotaRO supply chain investments; the trajectory of selling, general, and administrative expenses throughout FY2026.
Rev
$17.94B
FY2025
NI
$1.71B
FY2025
EPS
$35.47
FY2025
OCF
$2.02B
FY2025
Year-over-year comparison from 10-K annual reports
Data from SEC Company Facts
All GWW Financial Metrics(56)
Income Statement
Balance Sheet
Cash Flow
Recent SEC Filings
W.W. GRAINGER, INC. 8-K Report, Financial Results (Aug 4, 2026)
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) has filed an 8-K report on August 4, 2026, primarily to furnish its second-quarter 2026 earnings press release. This filing provides investors with the company's financial performance and condition for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. While the 8-K itself does not contain detailed financial data, it directs investors to the accompanying press release (Exhibit 99.1) for comprehensive results, operational updates, and forward-looking statements. Investors should refer to the press release for specific details on revenue, profitability, earnings per share, and any management commentary regarding segment performance, market trends, and outlook. This information is crucial for understanding the company's current trajectory and making informed investment decisions. The filing also includes the interactive data file for the cover page.
W.W. GRAINGER, INC. 8-K Report, Executive Changes (Aug 3, 2026)
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) has announced a significant change in its financial leadership through an 8-K filing dated August 3, 2026. Deidra C. Merriwether, the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has decided to resign from her position, effective September 4, 2026, to pursue a new opportunity. The company has emphasized that her departure is amicable and not related to any disagreements regarding the company's operations, financial reporting, or internal controls. In response to this transition, the Board of Directors has appointed Laurie R. Thomson as the interim Chief Financial Officer, commencing September 5, 2026. Ms. Thomson, who currently serves as Vice President, Controller, brings extensive experience within Grainger and a strong accounting background. The company has also initiated a search process for a permanent CFO. This announcement provides clarity on leadership changes within the finance department and outlines the interim arrangements.
W.W. GRAINGER, INC. 8-K Report, Financial Results (May 8, 2026)
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) has filed a Form 8-K on May 8, 2026, to report its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026. The primary purpose of this filing is to furnish the press release detailing these results as Exhibit 99.1, making the information publicly accessible to investors. While the 8-K itself is procedural, it signifies the company's adherence to timely disclosure requirements. Investors should refer to the furnished press release (Exhibit 99.1) for specific details on revenue, profitability, earnings per share, and any forward-looking guidance provided by the company for the upcoming quarters. This information is crucial for assessing the company's performance against market expectations and its own historical trends.
W.W. GRAINGER, INC. 8-K Report, Shareholder Vote Results (May 1, 2026)
This 8-K filing reports on the outcomes of W.W. Grainger, Inc.'s (GWW) annual shareholder meeting held on April 29, 2026. The key takeaway for investors is the strong endorsement of the company's slate of directors, with all management nominees for the board of directors receiving overwhelming support. Additionally, shareholders ratified the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent auditor for fiscal year 2026 and approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the company's Named Executive Officers. These results indicate shareholder confidence in the current leadership and financial oversight of the company.
W.W. GRAINGER, INC. 8-K Report, Financial Results (Feb 3, 2026)
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) has filed a Current Report on Form 8-K, furnishing a press release detailing its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025. While the 8-K itself does not contain the detailed financial figures, it directs investors to Exhibit 99.1, the accompanying press release, for this crucial information. Investors should carefully review this press release to understand the company's performance, including revenue, profitability, and any key operational metrics for the period. This filing serves as the official notification of the release of these results, which are critical for assessing the company's recent financial health and future outlook.
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