W.W. Grainger, Inc. GWW has reported earnings per share (EPS) of $9.87 in third-quarter 2024, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9.98. However, the bottom line improved 4.7% year over year, aided by the strong performances of the High-Touch Solutions N.A. and Endless Assortment segments.

Grainger’s quarterly revenues rose 4.3% year over year to $4.39 billion. The top line, however, missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.41 billion. Daily sales increased 2.6% from the prior-year quarter. We had predicted daily sales growth of 2.8% for the quarter.

Grainger’s Q3 Segmental Performance

The High-Touch Solutions N.A. segment’s daily sales rose 1.7% in the quarter from the third quarter of 2023. The upside was driven by growth in all geographies and included broad-based gains across most customer end markets. Our model had predicted year-over-year organic daily sales growth of 2.3% for the quarter.

The Endless Assortment segment’s daily sales moved up 6.4% in the quarter due to increased customer acquisitions across the segment and enterprise customer growth at MonotaRO. Our model predicted year-over-year organic daily sales growth of 4.4% for the quarter.

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GWW’s Q3 Operational Update

The cost of sales climbed 4.5% year over year to $2.67 billion. The gross profit rose 3.9% year over year to $1.7 billion. The gross margin was 39.2% in the quarter compared with the prior-year period’s 39.3%.

Selling, general and administrative expenses rose 4.7% year over year to $1.03 billion. Grainger’s operating income in the quarter was up 2.8% year over year to $686 million. The operating margin was 15.6% compared with 15.9% in the prior-year quarter.

Grainger’s Q3 Cash Flow & Balance Sheet Updates

The company had cash and cash equivalents of $1.45 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2024, up from $0.66 billion at the end of 2023. The cash flow from operating activities was $611 million in the third quarter of 2024 compared with $523 million in the prior-year quarter.

The long-term debt was $2.28 billion as of Sept. 30, 2024, compared with $2.27 billion as of Dec. 31, 2023. Grainger returned $328 million to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks in the reported quarter.

GWW’s 2024 Outlook

GWW expects net sales between $17.1 billion and $17.3 billion, updated from the prior stated $17.0-$17.3 billion. Sales growth is anticipated at 4-4.75%, updated from 3.2-5.2%. Daily sales growth is envisioned at 4.5-5.25% compared with the earlier mentioned 4-6%. EPS is expected to be $38.65-$39.35 compared with the prior stated $38.00-$39.50.

Grainger’s Price Performance

In the past year, Grainger’s shares have gained 49.4% compared with the industry’s growth of 19.3%.

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GWW’s Zacks Rank

The company currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Grainger’s Peer Performances

MSC Industrial Direct Company, Inc. MSM reported a fourth-quarter fiscal 2024 (ended on Aug. 31, 2024) adjusted EPS of $1.03, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.08. The bottom line decreased 37% year over year. 
  
MSC Industrial generated revenues of around $952 million, down 8% from the year-ago quarter. The top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $959 million.

SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc. SITE recorded an adjusted EPS of 97 cents in the third quarter of 2024, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.18. The company posted earnings of $1.25 per share in the third quarter of 2023.

SITE registered revenues of $1.21 billion for the September-end quarter of 2024, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.18 billion. The top line rose 2.4% year over year.

Industrial Services Stock Awaiting Results

Hillenbrand, Inc. HI is set to release its fourth-quarter fiscal 2024 results on Nov. 13.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HI’s EPS is pegged at 93 cents for the fiscal fourth quarter, suggesting a decline of 17.7% from the year-ago reported figure. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for total revenues is pinned at $796.8 million, indicating a year-over-year increase of 4.5%.

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