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WW Grainger Inc (GWW)



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Upturn Advisory Summary
10/14/2025: GWW (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
1 Year Target Price $1041.86
1 Year Target Price $1041.86
3 | Strong Buy |
1 | Buy |
13 | Hold |
2 | Sell |
1 | Strong Sell |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 27.58% | Avg. Invested days 52 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Star Rating ![]() ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance ![]() | Stock Returns Performance ![]() |
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Key Highlights
Company Size Large-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 45.91B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 23.75 | 1Y Target Price 1041.86 |
Price to earnings Ratio 23.75 | 1Y Target Price 1041.86 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 20 | Beta 1.17 | 52 Weeks Range 889.92 - 1219.65 | Updated Date 10/14/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 889.92 - 1219.65 | Updated Date 10/14/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 0.90% | Basic EPS (TTM) 40.41 |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date - | When - | Estimate - | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin 11% | Operating Margin (TTM) 14.89% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 19.55% | Return on Equity (TTM) 52.41% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 23.75 | Forward PE 21.69 | Enterprise Value 47752002715 | Price to Sales(TTM) 2.63 |
Enterprise Value 47752002715 | Price to Sales(TTM) 2.63 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 2.73 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 16.28 | Shares Outstanding 47832244 | Shares Floating 43814336 |
Shares Outstanding 47832244 | Shares Floating 43814336 | ||
Percent Insiders 6.16 | Percent Institutions 75.61 |
Upturn AI SWOT
WW Grainger Inc

Company Overview
History and Background
W.W. Grainger, Inc. was founded in 1927 by William Wallace Grainger. Initially a wholesale electrical equipment distributor, it has evolved into a leading broad-line distributor of maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products and services.
Core Business Areas
- High-Touch Solutions: Grainger's High-Touch Solutions segment offers a comprehensive selection of MRO products and services through a network of branches, sales representatives, and online platforms. This segment caters to large and medium-sized businesses requiring immediate access to a wide range of products.
- Endless Assortment: The Endless Assortment segment focuses on providing an expansive online catalog of MRO products and services, targeting smaller businesses and individual customers. This segment emphasizes convenience and accessibility through digital channels.
Leadership and Structure
D.G. Macpherson serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The company operates with a divisional structure, separating its high-touch and online business segments.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Safety Products: Safety products, including personal protective equipment (PPE), are a significant portion of Grainger's offerings. Competitors include MSC Industrial Direct (MSM) and Fastenal (FAST). While specific market share for safety products alone is not readily available, Grainger is a leading player in the overall MRO safety market. Market share is difficult to get, but the Safety Products market size is roughly $85 billion in 2024
- Hand Tools: Grainger provides a wide range of hand tools for various industrial and commercial applications. Competitors include Home Depot (HD) and Lowe's (LOW). Market share data specific to hand tools is not publicly available, but Grainger maintains a substantial presence in this category, generating significant revenue.
- Power Tools: Grainger provides a wide range of Power Tools for various industrial and commercial applications. Competitors include Home Depot (HD) and Lowe's (LOW). Market share data specific to power tools is not publicly available, but Grainger maintains a substantial presence in this category, generating significant revenue.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The MRO industry is characterized by a large and fragmented market, with a diverse range of products and services. The industry is driven by the ongoing need for maintenance and repair across various sectors, including manufacturing, construction, and government.
Positioning
Grainger is a leading player in the MRO distribution industry, with a strong brand reputation, extensive product selection, and established distribution network. Its competitive advantages include its scale, customer relationships, and supply chain capabilities.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The global MRO market is estimated to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars, with projections varying depending on the source. Grainger, through its diverse offerings, addresses a significant portion of this market and aims to increase its TAM through e-commerce and product expansion.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Extensive Product Selection
- Established Distribution Network
- Strong Brand Reputation
- E-Commerce Platform
- Large Customer Base
Weaknesses
- Higher Cost Structure Compared to Online Competitors
- Reliance on Industrial Sector
- Potential for Supply Chain Disruptions
- Slow Growth in Some Segments
Opportunities
- Expansion into New Geographic Markets
- Increased Focus on E-Commerce
- Acquisition of Smaller Competitors
- Development of Value-Added Services
- Growth in the Industrial Sector
Threats
- Economic Downturn
- Increased Competition from Online Retailers
- Fluctuations in Raw Material Prices
- Changes in Government Regulations
- Emergence of New Technologies Disrupting the MRO Market
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- Fastenal (FAST)
- MSC Industrial Direct (MSM)
- Amazon (AMZN)
- Home Depot (HD)
- Lowe's (LOW)
Competitive Landscape
Grainger benefits from its scale and established relationships, but faces increasing competition from online retailers like Amazon and specialized distributors.
Major Acquisitions
Fabory Group
- Year: 2011
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 344
- Strategic Rationale: Expanded European presence and product portfolio.
Safety Solutions
- Year: 2014
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 87.5
- Strategic Rationale: Strengthened safety product offerings and customer base.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Grainger's historical growth has been driven by organic growth, acquisitions, and expansion into new markets.
Future Projections: Analysts' estimates suggest continued growth for Grainger, driven by e-commerce expansion and growth in the industrial sector.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include investments in e-commerce, expansion of its product offerings, and acquisitions of smaller competitors.
Summary
WW Grainger is a strong player in the MRO industry, boasting a vast product selection and established distribution network. Their e-commerce platform has helped to increase revenues and is a key focus going forward. They need to keep costs down as competitors such as Amazon take hold. The company needs to monitor economic downturns to ensure it can meet obligations as the economy slows.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company Financial Statements
- Industry Reports
- Analyst Estimates
- Market Research Reports
Disclaimers:
The data provided is based on available information and may be subject to change. Market share estimates are approximate and based on industry data. This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About WW Grainger Inc
Exchange NYSE | Headquaters Lake Forest, IL, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 1984-12-17 | Chairman & CEO Mr. Donald G. Macpherson | ||
Sector Industrials | Industry Industrial Distribution | Full time employees 23500 | Website https://www.grainger.com |
Full time employees 23500 | Website https://www.grainger.com |
W.W. Grainger, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, distributes maintenance, repair, and operating products and services primarily in North America, Japan, and the United Kingdom. It operates through two segments, High-Touch Solutions North America 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. It also offers technical support and inventory management services. The company provides safety, security, material handling and storage equipment, pumps and plumbing equipment, cleaning and maintenance, and metalworking and hand tools. It also offers technical support and inventory management services. The company serves smaller businesses to large corporations, government entities, and other institutions, as well as commercial, healthcare, and manufacturing industries through sales and service representatives, and electronic and ecommerce channels. W.W. Grainger, Inc. was founded in 1927 and is headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois.

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