W.W. GRAINGER, INC.GWW
W.W. GRAINGER, INC. Financial Overview 2020–2024
W.W. Grainger more than tripled its per-share profitability over a four-year span, driving diluted earnings from $12.82 at the close of FY2020 to $38.71 by the end of FY2024. This bottom-line expansion underscores the core investment thesis: the company's dual-engine strategy—pairing complex, high-touch North American service with a rapidly scaling endless assortment e-commerce model—allows the industrial distributor to pass along pricing, absorb supply chain shocks, and aggressively compound capital.
The top line expanded reliably as revenue grew from $11.8 billion in FY2020 to $17.17 billion in FY2024. Crucially, Grainger improved its operational leverage and product mix to structurally elevate profitability, widening its gross margin from 35.9% to 39.4% over that same timeline. This cash-generating efficiency funded massive capital returns, including $1.201 billion in share repurchases and $421 million in dividends during FY2024 alone. While the company took a hit by recognizing a $186 million impairment loss in Q3 2025 to exit the U.K. market, its core segments remain insulated. In that same quarter, the Endless Assortment segment posted an 18.2% surge in net sales, proving the durability of its online distribution channels.
Recent Developments (Q2 and Q3 2025)
Grainger sustained solid top-line momentum through Q3 2025, driving a 6.1% year-over-year revenue increase to $4.66 billion following a 5.6% expansion to $4.55 billion in Q2 2025. Total net earnings plunged 39.5% and operating earnings fell 25.5% during the third quarter. Despite this bottom-line pressure, core cash generation remained robust with $1.62 billion in operating cash flow across the first nine months. The High-Touch Solutions N.A. segment logged a 3.4% sales gain in Q3 2025, though it faced gross profit margin compression from LIFO inventory impacts.
The company updated its corporate By-Laws on December 10, 2025, to streamline virtual shareholder meetings. Bulls point to the steady $2.26 per share quarterly dividend and $300 million in first-half supply chain capital expenditures as signs of underlying health. Bears warn of margin deterioration in the primary segment and elevated valuation risk, with shares trading at 25.3x earnings as of October 30, 2025.
What to watch: gross profit margin recovery within High-Touch Solutions N.A.; expense reductions following the Zoro U.K. closure.
Rev
$17.17B
FY2024
NI
$1.91B
FY2024
EPS
$38.84
FY2024
OCF
$2.11B
FY2024
Year-over-year comparison from 10-K annual reports
Data from SEC Company Facts
Recent SEC Filings
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.
W.W. GRAINGER, INC. 8-K Report, Bylaw Amendment (Dec 12, 2025)
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) has filed a Current Report on Form 8-K detailing amendments to its By-Laws, approved by the Board of Directors on December 10, 2025. These amendments are primarily focused on modernizing and clarifying provisions related to virtual annual shareholder meetings and remote communications, reflecting the evolving landscape of corporate governance and shareholder engagement. The updates also aim to remove or update outdated terminology within the Company's By-Laws. While these changes do not introduce new financial metrics or immediate operational shifts, they signal the Company's commitment to adapting its governance framework to contemporary practices. Investors should view these amendments as a procedural update designed to enhance flexibility and clarity in how the Company conducts its shareholder meetings and communicates with its stakeholders. The full details of the amended By-Laws are available as an exhibit to this filing.
W.W. GRAINGER, INC. 8-K Report, Financial Results (Oct 31, 2025)
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) has filed a Form 8-K on October 31, 2025, to report its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025. The primary purpose of this filing is to furnish a press release that details the company's performance during the quarter. Investors should refer to the press release, attached as Exhibit 99.1, for specific financial data, operational highlights, and management's commentary. While this 8-K filing itself is brief and primarily serves as a notification and container for the press release, the accompanying document is crucial for understanding GWW's financial health and strategic direction. Key metrics such as revenue, profitability, earnings per share, and any forward-looking guidance will be detailed within the press release. Investors are encouraged to review this information thoroughly to assess the company's progress against its financial targets and the broader market conditions impacting its business.
W.W. GRAINGER, INC. 8-K Report, Financial Results (Aug 1, 2025)
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) has filed a Form 8-K on August 1, 2025, to report its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025. The key information is contained within the press release furnished as Exhibit 99.1. Investors should review this press release for detailed financial performance, including revenue, earnings per share, and any management commentary on business trends and outlook.
W.W. GRAINGER, INC. 8-K Report, Rights Modification (May 15, 2025)
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) filed a Form 8-K on May 15, 2025, to report on a material modification to the rights of its security holders, specifically the elimination of cumulative voting. This change was approved by shareholders at the 2025 Annual Meeting held on April 30, 2025. The elimination of cumulative voting, effective May 9, 2025, means that each share of common stock will now only grant one vote in the election of directors. This change impacts how shareholders can influence board composition and potentially leads to greater board control by majority shareholders.
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