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263.35 (1y: +39%)
Market Cap 17.97 B P/E(ttm) 26.50
Enterprise Value 18.04 B P/B 6.05
GWW- NYSE (USA)
W.W. Grainger, Inc.
  • Currently 5/5
Business Predictability Rank: 5-Star
Back Testing Results:
Average gain of all 5-Star stocks: 12.1% per year.
% of Stocks that are in still loss if held for 10yrs: 3%.
Read more:
What is Predictability Rank?
Performances of real portfolio
Top Ranked Predictable Companies
$263.35
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GuruFocus Financial Strength Rank measures how strong a companyย’s financial situation is. It is based on these factors

1. The debt burden that the company has as measured by its Interest coverage (current year).
2. Debt to revenue ratio. The lower, the better
3. Altman Z-score.

A company ranks high with financial strength is likely to withstand any business slowdowns and recessions.

Financial Strength : 7/10

vs
industry		 vs
history
Cash to Debt 0.801
GWW's Cash to Debt is ranked lower than
59% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 3.89 vs. GWW: 0.801 )
GWW' s 10-Year Cash to Debt Range
Min: 0.14   Max: 57.45
Current: 0.8
0.14
57.45
Equity to Asset 0.42
GWW's Equity to Asset is ranked lower than
56% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 0.43 vs. GWW: 0.42 )
GWW' s 10-Year Equity to Asset Range
Min: 0.38   Max: 0.68
Current: 0.42
0.38
0.68
Interest Coverage 84.3
GWW's Interest Coverage is ranked higher than
50% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 79.10 vs. GWW: 84.3 )
GWW' s 10-Year Interest Coverage Range
Min: 15   Max: No Debt
Current: 84.3
F-Score: 6
Z-Score: 10.26
M-Score: -2.67
GuruFocus Profitability Rank ranks how profitable a company is and how likely the companyย’s business will stay that way. It is based on these factors:

1. Operating Margin
2. Trend of the Operating Margin (5-year average). The company with an uptrend profit margin has a higher rank.
ย•ย•3. Consistency of the profitability
4. Piotroski F-Score
5. Predictability Rankย•

The maximum rank is 10. A rank of 7 or higher means a higher profitability and may stay that way. A rank of 3 or lower indicates that the company has had trouble to make a profit.

Profitability Rank is not directly related to the Financial Strength Rank. But if a company is consistently profitable, its financial strength will be stronger.

Profitability & Growth : 8/10

vs
industry		 vs
history
Operating margin (%) 12.60
GWW's Operating margin (%) is ranked higher than
89% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 3.25 vs. GWW: 12.60 )
GWW' s 10-Year Operating margin (%) Range
Min: 6.7   Max: 13
Current: 12.6
6.7
13
Net-margin (%) 7.7
GWW's Net-margin (%) is ranked higher than
88% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 2.00 vs. GWW: 7.7 )
GWW' s 10-Year Net-margin (%) Range
Min: 3.7   Max: 8.2
Current: 7.7
3.7
8.2
ROE (%) 22.8
GWW's ROE (%) is ranked higher than
88% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 4.80 vs. GWW: 22.8 )
GWW' s 10-Year ROE (%) Range
Min: 10.9   Max: 25
Current: 22.8
10.9
25
ROA (%) 13.8
GWW's ROA (%) is ranked higher than
95% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 2.40 vs. GWW: 13.8 )
GWW' s 10-Year ROA (%) Range
Min: 7   Max: 14
Current: 13.8
7
14
ROC (Joel Greenblatt) (%) 43.30
GWW's ROC (Joel Greenblatt) (%) is ranked higher than
87% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 14.20 vs. GWW: 43.30 )
GWW' s 10-Year ROC (Joel Greenblatt) (%) Range
Min: 20.3   Max: 44.3
Current: 43.3
20.3
44.3
Revenue Growth (%) 10.9
GWW's Revenue Growth (%) is ranked higher than
95% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 1.90 vs. GWW: 10.9 )
GWW' s 10-Year Revenue Growth (%) Range
Min: -1.1   Max: 10.9
Current: 10.9
-1.1
10.9
EBITDA Growth (%) 13.7
GWW's EBITDA Growth (%) is ranked higher than
92% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 1.50 vs. GWW: 13.7 )
GWW' s 10-Year EBITDA Growth (%) Range
Min: 2.5   Max: 14.3
Current: 13.7
2.5
14.3
EPS Growth (%) 14.1
GWW's EPS Growth (%) is ranked higher than
85% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 5.40 vs. GWW: 14.1 )
GWW' s 10-Year EPS Growth (%) Range
Min: 3.9   Max: 14.6
Current: 14.1
3.9
14.6
ยป GWW's 10-Y Financials

Financials


Revenue & Net Income
Cash & Debt
Oprt. Cash Flow & Free Cash Flow

» Details

Guru Trades
Q2 2012

GWW Guru Trades in Q2 2012

Paul Tudor Jones 2,100 sh (New)
Manning & Napier Advisors, Inc 12,190 sh (New)
Frank Sands 2,916,949 sh (+6.38%)
Jeremy Grantham 113,074 sh (+2.86%)
First Pacific Advisors 2,000 sh (unchged)
Westport Asset Management 70,000 sh (unchged)
Steven Cohen Sold Out
Meridian Funds 71,700 sh (-5.78%)
Chuck Royce 91,760 sh (-18.63%)
Pioneer Investments 76,895 sh (-33.93%)
Bruce Kovner 26,668 sh (-66.55%)
» More
Q3 2012

GWW Guru Trades in Q3 2012

Steven Cohen 95,420 sh (New)
Pioneer Investments 96,050 sh (+24.91%)
Frank Sands 2,961,702 sh (+1.53%)
Westport Asset Management 70,000 sh (unchged)
Paul Tudor Jones Sold Out
Signature Select Canadian Fund Sold Out
Bruce Kovner Sold Out
Jeremy Grantham 104,454 sh (-7.62%)
Meridian Funds 65,700 sh (-8.37%)
Chuck Royce 81,375 sh (-11.32%)
Manning & Napier Advisors, Inc 10,380 sh (-14.85%)
First Pacific Advisors 1,700 sh (-15%)
» More
Q4 2012

GWW Guru Trades in Q4 2012

Jim Simons 185,300 sh (New)
Pioneer Investments 101,007 sh (+5.16%)
Westport Asset Management 70,000 sh (unchged)
Jeremy Grantham 76,484 sh (unchged)
Frank Sands Sold Out
Chuck Royce 74,600 sh (-8.33%)
First Pacific Advisors 1,500 sh (-11.76%)
Manning & Napier Advisors, Inc 8,360 sh (-19.46%)
Meridian Funds 47,500 sh (-27.7%)
Steven Cohen 1,472 sh (-98.46%)
» More
Q1 2013

GWW Guru Trades in Q1 2013

Ray Dalio 20,736 sh (New)
Joel Greenblatt 2,938 sh (New)
Steven Cohen 546,353 sh (+37016.4%)
Pioneer Investments 119,718 sh (+18.52%)
Jeremy Grantham 89,584 sh (+17.13%)
Jim Simons 208,000 sh (+12.25%)
Chuck Royce 74,600 sh (unchged)
Westport Asset Management 70,000 sh (unchged)
Manning & Napier Advisors, Inc Sold Out
First Pacific Advisors 1,400 sh (-6.67%)
Meridian Funds 31,000 sh (-34.74%)
» More
» Details

Insider Trades

Latest Guru Trades with GWW

GuruDate Trades Impact to Portfolio Price Range * (?) Current Price Change from Average Current Shares
Meridian Funds 2013-03-31 Reduce -34.74%0.13%$202.37 - $231.78 $ 263.3520%31000
Ray Dalio 2013-03-31 New Buy0.04%$202.37 - $231.78 $ 263.3520%20736
Joel Greenblatt 2013-03-31 New Buy0.03%$202.37 - $231.78 $ 263.3520%2938
Frank Sands 2012-12-31 Sold Out 2.5%$187.08 - $216.72 $ 263.3532%0
Meridian Funds 2012-12-31 Reduce -27.7%0.14%$187.08 - $216.72 $ 263.3532%47500
Frank Sands 2012-06-30 Add 6.38%0.15%$177.48 - $218.26 $ 263.3533%2916949
Premium More recent guru trades are included for Premium Members only!!

Ratios

vs
industry		 vs
history
P/E(ttm) 26.50
GWW's P/E(ttm) is ranked higher than
66% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 17.91 vs. GWW: 26.50 )
GWW' s 10-Year P/E(ttm) Range
Min: 10.49   Max: 31.46
Current: 26.5
10.49
31.46
P/B 6.05
GWW's P/B is ranked lower than
91% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 1.13 vs. GWW: 6.05 )
GWW' s 10-Year P/B Range
Min: 1.58   Max: 5.96
Current: 6.05
1.58
5.96
P/S 2.07
GWW's P/S is ranked lower than
87% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 0.39 vs. GWW: 2.07 )
GWW' s 10-Year P/S Range
Min: 0.5   Max: 2.07
Current: 2.07
0.5
2.07
PFCF 29.46
GWW's PFCF is ranked lower than
60% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 16.68 vs. GWW: 29.46 )
GWW' s 10-Year PFCF Range
Min: 8.99   Max: 56.68
Current: 29.46
8.99
56.68
EV-to-EBIT 15.42
GWW's EV-to-EBIT is ranked higher than
82% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 16.70 vs. GWW: 15.42 )
GWW' s 10-Year EV-to-EBIT Range
Min: 6.5   Max: 18.9
Current: 15.42
6.5
18.9
PEG 1.88
GWW's PEG is ranked higher than
92% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 1.60 vs. GWW: 1.88 )
GWW' s 10-Year PEG Range
Min: 0.58   Max: 11.29
Current: 1.88
0.58
11.29
Shiller P/E 34.01
GWW's Shiller P/E is ranked higher than
79% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 21.00 vs. GWW: 34.01 )
GWW' s 10-Year Shiller P/E Range
Min: 13.9   Max: 34.02
Current: 34.01
13.9
34.02

Dividend & Buy Back

vs
industry		 vs
history
Dividend Yield 1.26
GWW's Dividend Yield is ranked higher than
53% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 2.10 vs. GWW: 1.26 )
GWW' s 10-Year Dividend Yield Range
Min: 1.16   Max: 2.6
Current: 1.26
1.16
2.6
Dividend Payout 0.4
GWW's Dividend Payout is ranked higher than
83% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 0.58 vs. GWW: 0.4 )
GWW' s 10-Year Dividend Payout Range
Min: 0.24   Max: 0.38
Current: 0.4
0.24
0.38
Dividend growth (3y) 14.5
GWW's Dividend growth (3y) is ranked higher than
96% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 1.10 vs. GWW: 14.5 )
GWW' s 10-Year Dividend growth (3y) Range
Min: 2.3   Max: 14.5
Current: 14.5
2.3
14.5
Yield on cost (5-Year) 3.05
GWW's Yield on cost (5-Year) is ranked higher than
82% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 2.18 vs. GWW: 3.05 )
GWW' s 10-Year Yield on cost (5-Year) Range
Min: 2.72   Max: 6.1
Current: 3.05
2.72
6.1
Share Buyback Rate 1.3
GWW's Share Buyback Rate is ranked higher than
98% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: -0.60 vs. GWW: 1.3 )
GWW' s 10-Year Share Buyback Rate Range
Min: 4.6   Max: 0
Current: 1.3

Valuation & Return

vs
industry		 vs
history
Price/Net Current Asset Value 13.7
GWW's Price/Net Current Asset Value is ranked higher than
91% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 3.20 vs. GWW: 13.7 )
GWW' s 10-Year Price/Net Current Asset Value Range
Min: 4.3   Max: 10.8
Current: 13.7
4.3
10.8
Price/Tangible Book 8.6
GWW's Price/Tangible Book is ranked higher than
95% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 1.30 vs. GWW: 8.6 )
GWW' s 10-Year Price/Tangible Book Range
Min: 2.5   Max: 7.5
Current: 8.6
2.5
7.5
Price/DCF (Projected) 2
GWW's Price/DCF (Projected) is ranked higher than
85% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 1.60 vs. GWW: 2 )
GWW' s 10-Year Price/DCF (Projected) Range
Min: 1   Max: 1.7
Current: 2
1
1.7
Price/Median PS Value 1.9
GWW's Price/Median PS Value is ranked higher than
93% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 0.90 vs. GWW: 1.9 )
GWW' s 10-Year Price/Median PS Value Range
Min: 0.6   Max: 1.5
Current: 1.9
0.6
1.5
Price/Peter Lynch Fair Value 1.9
GWW's Price/Peter Lynch Fair Value is ranked higher than
96% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 1.30 vs. GWW: 1.9 )
GWW' s 10-Year Price/Peter Lynch Fair Value Range
Min: 0.7   Max: 3.3
Current: 1.9
0.7
3.3
Price/Graham Number 3.2
GWW's Price/Graham Number is ranked higher than
92% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 1.40 vs. GWW: 3.2 )
GWW' s 10-Year Price/Graham Number Range
Min: 1.4   Max: 2.6
Current: 3.2
1.4
2.6
Earnings Yield (Greenblatt) 6.50
GWW's Earnings Yield (Greenblatt) is ranked higher than
84% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 8.10 vs. GWW: 6.50 )
GWW' s 10-Year Earnings Yield (Greenblatt) Range
Min: 5.3   Max: 15.5
Current: 6.5
5.3
15.5
Forward Rate of Return (Yacktman) 16.51
GWW's Forward Rate of Return (Yacktman) is ranked higher than
90% of the 131 Companies
in the Global Industrial Distribution industry.

( Industry Median: 6.59 vs. GWW: 16.51 )
GWW' s 10-Year Forward Rate of Return (Yacktman) Range
Min: 5.9   Max: 23.5
Current: 16.51
5.9
23.5

Business Description

W.W. Grainger, Inc. was incorporated in the State of Illinois in 1928. The Company is a distributor of maintenance, repair and operating supplies and other related products and services used by businesses and institutions mainly in the United States and Canada, with expanding global operations. The Company uses a multichannel business model to provide customers with a range of options for finding and purchasing products utilizing sales representatives, direct marketing materials and catalogs. Grainger's two reportable segments are the United States and Canada. The United States segment reflects the results of Grainger's U.S. business. The Canada segment reflects the results for Acklands- Grainger Inc. (Acklands - Grainger), Grainger's Canadian business. Other businesses include the following significant operations: the Fabory Group, MonotaRO, Mexico, China and Colombia. These businesses generate revenue through the distribution of maintenance, repair and operating supplies and products and provide related services. The United States business offers a selection of maintenance, repair and operating supplies and other related products and services through local branches, catalogs and the Internet. A combination of product breadth, local availability, speed of delivery, detailed product information and competitively priced products and services is provided by this business. Products offered include material handling equipment, safety and security supplies, lighting and electrical products, power and hand tools, pumps and plumbing supplies, cleaning and maintenance supplies, forestry and agriculture equipment, building and home inspection supplies, vehicle and fleet components and many other items primarily focused on the facilities maintenance market. Services offered include inventory management and energy efficiency solutions. Acklands - Grainger is Canada's distributor of industrial and safety supplies. A combination of product breadth, local availability, speed of delivery, detailed product information and competitively priced products and services is provided by this business. In 2011, Acklands - Grainger acquired one business, Fercomat,Inc. Fercomat is based in Quebec and has been a distributor of hardware, tools and fasteners since 1957. The Canadian business serves customers through 172 branches and six DCs across Canada. Acklands - Grainger distributes tools, fasteners, safety supplies, instruments, welding and shop equipment, and many other items. During 2011, approximately 15,000 sales transactions were completed daily. A comprehensive catalog, printed in both English and French, was recently issued in February 2012. The catalog has more than 110,000 products and is used by customers to assist in product selection. In addition, customers can purchase products through acklandsgrainger.com, a fully bilingual website. Grainger has centralized business support functions that provide coordination and guidance in the areas of ac
Company Website
SEC Reports
Industry: Industrial Distribution
Compare:WOSYY, GPC, NDEKY, LKQ, ADRZF
Traded in other countries:GWW.Germany
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