Is GWW a good stock to buy?
W.W. Grainger, Inc. · end-of-day data as of Nov 13, 2026
- Trendbullish
- MAs4 of 4
- MACD9.03
- Earnings in81d
- P/E32.7x
- Support-6.9%
- Off 52w high-2.1%
- Volume1.2x
- Bollingerupper half
- News0.00
- FCF yield+2.5%
- P/E vs own+9.1%
- ConsensusHold · 19
- 52w range$907–$1,521
- ATR+2.3%
- Off ATH-2.1%
- InsidersNone in 90d
- PT$1,315.10 -11.7%
- P/E vs sector+19.5%
- RSI70
- Sector▼ -11.7%
Updates with the 15-min delayed price. Not a forecast or investment advice.
Is Grainger a good stock to buy?
Grainger is strong on 1 of the 5 questions about the business. The price is high: 32.7 times its earnings, above its 3-year median of 27.2 (Nov 13, 2026). pretickt does not say whether to buy or sell.
GWW sales growth revenue growth
+6%a year, for the last 3 yearsGrainger's sales grew 6% a year for 3 years, to $17.94B in fiscal 2025.
GWW analysts' forecast revenue estimates
+11%the sales they expect next fiscal year, on the lastAnalysts expect Grainger's sales to grow 11% to $19.88B in fiscal 2026 (12 analysts).
GWW peers
pretickt analysis+9%its sales in 12 months, on a year before
Grainger's sales grew 9% in the 12 months to Sep 30, 2026, faster than Ferguson Enterprises (+5%) and Honeywell (-24%), slower than Fastenal (+14%) and United Rentals (+9%).
GWW sales by business revenue by segment
79%of its sales from High-Touch Solutions (N.A.)High-Touch Solutions (N.A.) brought Grainger 79% of its sales in fiscal 2025; Endless Assortment 21%.
GWW return on capital ROIC
pretickt analysis44%earned before tax on the money invested in itGrainger earned 44% before tax on the capital invested in it in the 12 months to Sep 30, 2026; Fastenal 42%, Ferguson Enterprises 21%, United Rentals 18% and Honeywell 12%.
GWW margin on each sale gross margin
39%left after making the productGrainger kept 39% of each sale after making the product in the 12 months to Sep 30, 2026; its peers' median is 38%.
GWW margin after costs profit margin
16%of sales left after running the businessGrainger's operating margin was 16% in the 12 months to Sep 30, 2026, against 15% in fiscal 2022.
GWW cash generated free cash flow
$1.72Bcash left after investing, last 12 monthsGrainger generated $1.72B of free cash flow in the 12 months to Sep 30, 2026, less than its reported profit.
GWW earnings vs estimates
5 of 8quarters above the analysts' estimateGrainger beat the analysts' profit estimate in 5 of its last 8 quarters, the latest on Nov 4, 2026.
GWW insider selling
-$33.54Msold, net, by its executives in 12 monthsGrainger's executives and directors sold a net $33.54M of shares in the 12 months to Nov 13, 2026; none bought.
GWW number of employees
-6%fewer people in a yearGrainger had 22,100 employees at the end of fiscal 2025, 6% fewer than a year before.
GWW CEO pay
$11.61Mfor fiscal 2025, 73% of it in stock and optionsGrainger paid its CEO $11.61M for fiscal 2025, 73% of it in stock and options.
GWW financial health Altman Z-score
13.5Altman Z-score, safe above 3Grainger's Altman Z-score is 13.5 (Nov 13, 2026), above 3, where the safe zone starts.
GWW quality checks Piotroski score
7 of 9checks passedGrainger passes 7 of the 9 Piotroski checks in the 12 months to Sep 30, 2026; it misses on the current ratio and sales for its assets.
GWW in past recessions
pretickt analysis-9%its sales in the worst oneGrainger's sales fell in 1 of the last 2 US recessions, by as much as 9% in fiscal 2009.
GWW price vs profit P/E ratio
32.7×a year's earningsGrainger's P/E ratio is 32.7 (Nov 13, 2026), above its 3-year median of 27.2.
GWW price vs peers
pretickt analysis32.7×a year's earnings, against its peersInvestors pay 32.7 times Grainger's earnings (Nov 13, 2026), more than for United Rentals (24.9), Ferguson Enterprises (24.1) and Honeywell (10.1), less than for Fastenal (44.5).
GWW analysts' target price target
-12%to their average targetAnalysts' average price target for Grainger is $1,315, 12% below the Nov 13, 2026 close of $1,489.30.
GWW growth priced in fair value
pretickt analysis+16%a year, for ten years, to be worth the priceAt $1,489.30 a share, Grainger's free cash flow must grow about 16% a year for ten years to be worth the price (Nov 13, 2026).
What is Grainger's P/E ratio?
Grainger's P/E ratio is 32.7 (Nov 13, 2026), above its 3-year median of 27.2. Investors pay 32.7 times Grainger's earnings (Nov 13, 2026), more than for United Rentals (24.9), Ferguson Enterprises (24.1) and Honeywell (10.1), less than for Fastenal (44.5).
Is Grainger profitable?
Grainger's operating margin was 16% in the 12 months to Sep 30, 2026, against 15% in fiscal 2022. Grainger generated $1.72B of free cash flow in the 12 months to Sep 30, 2026, less than its reported profit.
Are insiders selling Grainger stock?
Grainger's executives and directors sold a net $33.54M of shares in the 12 months to Nov 13, 2026; none bought.
How does Grainger make money?
High-Touch Solutions (N.A.) brought Grainger 79% of its sales in fiscal 2025; Endless Assortment 21%.
Who owns Grainger stock?
1,431 institutions hold 76% of Grainger's shares (Jun 30, 2026); State Street added shares that quarter, Vanguard and BlackRock sold some.
How many employees does Grainger have?
Grainger had 22,100 employees at the end of fiscal 2025, 6% fewer than a year before.
From the companies' statements (FMP), their filings read by pretickt, the analysts and the insiders, as of Nov 13, 2026. Each card says what a fact means for its question, never what to do with the stock: for information only, not investment advice.