W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) AI Stock Analysis

NYSE: GWWAI research summary: business, growth, valuation, analysts, bull and bear case.

GWW AI stock analysis summary

AI Research

W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) is a leading distributor of maintenance, repair, and operating supplies across North America and international markets. The company generated $18.84B in trailing twelve-month revenue with a return on equity of 46.1%. Shares have outperformed the broader market with a 1-year return of 40.6% and trade at a forward P/E of 24.8x.

Market cap
$62.68B
Revenue (TTM)
$18.84B
P/E
33.9x
fwd 24.8x
1Y return
40.6%
S&P 500 16.8%
Avg. target
$1331.57
0.1% vs last close

Bull case

  • Quarterly earnings accelerated 20.5% year-over-year in the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026.
  • Grainger returned significant cash to shareholders in FY2025 via $1.04B in buybacks and $467.0M in dividends across 42 consecutive years of payments.
  • Long-term equity appreciation has been strong, generating a 225.9% 5-year return compared to 83.0% for the S&P 500.

Bear case

  • Valuation is elevated against peers, trading at a forward P/E of 24.8x compared to the S&P 500 Industrials peer median of 20.1x.
  • Annual net income retreated from $1.91B in FY2024 to $1.71B in FY2025 as net margin narrowed to 9.5%.
  • Analyst sentiment reflects limited near-term upside, with the mean price target of $1331.57 just 0.1% above the last close.

What Grainger does

W.W. Grainger, Inc. distributes maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products and services across the United States, Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other international markets. Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois, it operates through two primary segments: High-Touch Solutions N.A. and Endless Assortment. Its product catalog spans safety supplies, material handling equipment, pumps, plumbing tools, cleaning supplies, and metalworking tools. Grainger also delivers inventory management and technical support to businesses, corporations, government entities, and institutions through sales representatives, electronic commerce platforms, and ecommerce channels.

Growth and profitability

Grainger expanded revenue from $13.02B in FY2021 to $17.94B in FY2025, delivering an 8.7% revenue CAGR from FY2020 to FY2025. Annual net income grew from $1.04B in FY2021 to $1.91B in FY2024 before decreasing to $1.71B in FY2025, corresponding to an operating margin of 15.0%. Over the trailing twelve months, revenue reached $18.84B with a profit margin of 9.9% and EPS of $39.21. In the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue grew 10.3% year-over-year, while quarterly earnings increased 20.5% year-over-year.

GWW income statement →

Balance sheet and cash flow

As of June 30, 2026, Grainger held $589.0M in cash and short-term investments against total debt of $2.80B, resulting in net debt of $2.21B. Shareholders' equity was $4.13B, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68 and a current ratio of 2.81. In FY2025, operating cash flow reached $2.02B and free cash flow stood at $1.33B. The company allocated $684.0M to capital expenditures, repurchased $1.04B in common stock, and paid $467.0M in cash dividends.

GWW balance sheet →

Valuation and performance

At $1330.70 per share, Grainger has a market capitalization of $62.68B and an enterprise value of $62.06B. The stock trades at a trailing P/E of 33.9x and a forward P/E of 24.8x, both higher than the median of its S&P 500 Industrials peers at 28.4x and 20.1x, respectively. Its EV/EBITDA of 20.5x and price-to-sales of 3.3x also exceed peer medians of 17.2x and 3.1x. Over the past year, GWW returned 40.6%, outpacing the S&P 500 (SPY) return of 16.8%, while its 5-year gain of 225.9% topped the index benchmark of 83.0%.

GWW key metrics →

GWW dividend

Grainger pays a forward annual dividend of $9.96 per share, yielding 0.75% with a payout ratio of 21.9%. The company has distributed consecutive quarterly dividends for 42 years, achieving an 8.3% annualized dividend growth rate over the past five years. Its most recent ex-dividend date occurred on August 10, 2026.

GWW dividend history →

What analysts expect

Grainger carries 19 analyst ratings: 3 Strong Buy, 1 Buy, 13 Hold, and 2 Sell. The mean price target is $1331.57, representing a 0.1% premium over the last close of $1330.70. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, consensus estimates project EPS of $46.48 on revenue of $19.67B. Grainger topped EPS estimates in 3 of the last 4 quarters, and its next earnings report is scheduled for November 4, 2026.

GWW forecast and price target →

Key risks and what to watch

  • Total debt of $2.80B leaves the company with net debt of $2.21B against $589.0M in cash as of June 30, 2026.
  • Trailing twelve-month operating margin of 16.1% remains below the S&P 500 Industrials peer median of 17.9%.
  • Free cash flow contracted from $1.57B in FY2024 to $1.33B in FY2025 as capital expenditures increased to $684.0M.

AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer

About this GWW AI stock analysis

This page is an AI-written research summary of W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.

Related: GWW income statement, GWW balance sheet, GWW key metrics, GWW analyst forecast, GWW chart. See the GWW stock overview for the latest quote and news.

GWW AI stock analysis FAQ

What is W.W. Grainger's dividend yield and payment schedule?

Grainger pays an annual dividend of $9.96 per share distributed quarterly, representing a 0.75% dividend yield with a 21.9% payout ratio.

How did Grainger perform in its latest reported financial quarter?

In the quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue increased 10.3% year-over-year, while quarterly earnings grew 20.5%.

What are analysts forecasting for Grainger's revenue and earnings?

For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, consensus estimates project EPS of $46.48 on revenue of $19.67B, followed by EPS of $51.06 on revenue of $21.08B in FY2027.

How does GWW's valuation compare to its industrial peer group?

Grainger trades at a trailing P/E of 33.9x and EV/EBITDA of 20.5x, compared to S&P 500 Industrials peer medians of 28.4x and 17.2x, respectively.

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