Thu, Oct 31, 8:39 PM (62 days ago)
For Q3 2024, W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) reported net sales of $4,388 million, a 4.3% increase from Q3 2023. Gross profit rose to $1,720 million, with a slight decrease in gross margin to 39.2%. Operating earnings increased by 2.8% to $686 million, despite a 4.7% rise in SG&A expenses to $1,034 million. Net earnings attributable to Grainger were $486 million, translating to diluted EPS of $9.87, a 4.7% increase year-over-year. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, total net sales reached $12,935 million, up 3.6%, with net earnings of $1,434 million, unchanged from the prior year. Cash flow from operations improved to $1,683 million, reflecting better working capital management. Grainger maintained strong liquidity with $1,448 million in cash and equivalents. The company’s debt ratio increased slightly to 41.9%, with total debt at $2,776 million. Despite macroeconomic uncertainties, Grainger's diversified customer base and strategic initiatives position it well for future growth. However, potential risks from inflation, geopolitical factors, and customer demand fluctuations persist.