GWW
IndustrialsW.W. Grainger, Inc. · Industrial - Distribution · $59B
What is W.W. Grainger, Inc.?
W.W. Grainger is one of North America's largest distributors of maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products. Serving businesses, government agencies, and institutions across the United States, Japan, Canada, and beyond, Grainger connects buyers with millions of industrial and facility supplies.
Grainger operates through two distinct segments: High-Touch Solutions N.A., which provides personalized service and inventory management to large, complex customers; and Endless Assortment, an e-commerce-driven model offering a vast product catalog to a broader customer base. Revenue is generated through product sales, service contracts, and inventory management programs delivered via sales representatives and digital channels.
Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois, Grainger has built a century-long presence in industrial distribution.
- Safety and security supplies for workplace compliance
- Material handling and storage equipment
- Pumps, plumbing, and fluid management products
- Cleaning and facility maintenance supplies
- Inventory management and technical support services
Is GWW a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates GWW as Good overall, reflecting a balanced profile across the five quality pillars.
Grainger's Quality and Risk pillars both register as Good, pointing to a business that generates reliable cash flows and manages financial exposure in line with sector expectations. The company's long operating history and diversified customer base contribute to its resilience across economic cycles.
The Moat and Growth pillars both land at Neutral, suggesting that competitive differentiation and near-term expansion prospects are neither standout strengths nor significant weaknesses relative to peers. Valuation is also Neutral, meaning the stock does not appear obviously cheap or stretched.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does GWW pay dividends?
Yes — W.W. Grainger, Inc. pays a dividend.
Grainger pays a regular dividend, consistent with its profile as a mature, cash-generative industrial distributor. The company has maintained and grown its dividend over many years, reflecting confidence in sustained free cash flow. Income-oriented investors often view GWW's dividend track record as a sign of financial discipline and shareholder-friendly capital allocation.
When does GWW report earnings?
W.W. Grainger reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed large-cap equities.
Grainger's results have generally reflected steady demand from its core industrial and institutional customer base, with e-commerce growth playing an increasing role. Segment performance between High-Touch Solutions and Endless Assortment provides useful insight into how the business is evolving across different customer types.
For the most recent quarter's results and upcoming reporting dates, visit W.W. Grainger's investor relations page directly.
GWW Price History
+166.2% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in W.W. Grainger, Inc.?
Based on W.W. Grainger, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
GWW Long-term Outlook
With Growth and Moat pillars at Neutral, Grainger's fundamental outlook reflects steady rather than accelerating expansion. The business is well-positioned to benefit from ongoing industrial activity and facility management demand, though it faces a competitive distribution landscape. The Good Risk pillar suggests the company is navigating macro uncertainty with a measured balance sheet approach.
Growth drivers
- E-commerce channel expansion through the Endless Assortment segment
- Continued demand from government and institutional MRO buyers
- Cross-selling of inventory management and value-added services
Key risks
- Pricing pressure from online and specialty MRO competitors
- Exposure to industrial cycle slowdowns affecting customer spending
- Neutral Valuation pillar limits margin of safety at current levels
GWW vs Peers
Grainger competes in the fragmented MRO and industrial distribution space alongside several large and specialized players.
Fastenal focuses heavily on fasteners and on-site vending solutions, giving it a distinct in-plant service model compared to Grainger's broader catalog approach.
Ferguson specializes in plumbing and HVAC distribution, serving residential and commercial contractors rather than the broad industrial and institutional base Grainger targets.
QXO is a technology-driven building products distributor pursuing an acquisition-led growth strategy, representing a newer competitive dynamic in the broader distribution sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does W.W. Grainger do?
Grainger distributes maintenance, repair, and operating products to businesses, government agencies, and institutions. Its catalog spans safety supplies, material handling equipment, cleaning products, and more. The company serves customers through both a high-touch sales model and an e-commerce platform, operating primarily in North America and Japan.
Does GWW pay dividends?
Yes, Grainger pays a regular dividend. The company has a long history of dividend payments and increases, reflecting its mature cash flow profile. Investors seeking income from industrial-sector holdings often include GWW in that context. For current dividend details, check Grainger's investor relations page.
When does GWW report earnings?
Grainger reports on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US-listed large-cap companies. Our data source does not cover specific upcoming dates. For the most accurate and current earnings schedule, refer to the investor relations section of W.W. Grainger's official website.
Is GWW a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates GWW as Good overall, with Quality and Risk pillars both registering as Good. Moat, Growth, and Valuation are each Neutral. This profile suggests a stable, well-managed business without obvious red flags, though it is not a standout on competitive differentiation or growth momentum. The full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.
Is GWW overvalued?
GWW's Valuation pillar is rated Neutral under the UQS framework, meaning the stock does not appear significantly overpriced or underpriced relative to its fundamentals and sector peers. Investors looking for a deep-value entry point may want to monitor the stock over time. Full valuation metrics are available in the Pro view.
How does GWW compare to its competitors?
Grainger's broad MRO catalog and dual-segment model — combining high-touch service with e-commerce — distinguish it from more specialized peers like Fastenal and Ferguson. Compared to the industrial distribution sector broadly, GWW's Quality and Risk scores are favorable, though its Moat rating is Neutral, reflecting a competitive market.
What is GWW's market cap bracket?
W.W. Grainger is classified as a large-cap company. This places it among the more established and liquid names in the industrial distribution sector, typically associated with greater financial stability and institutional investor coverage than mid- or small-cap peers.
Who founded W.W. Grainger?
W.W. Grainger was founded by William W. Grainger in 1927. The company began as a wholesale electric motor supplier and grew over nearly a century into one of the largest industrial distribution businesses in North America. Founding context is widely available through public historical records.
Is GWW a long-term quality stock?
As a long-term quality indicator, GWW's Good UQS Score — anchored by Good ratings in Quality and Risk — reflects a business with durable fundamentals and measured financial management. Neutral Moat and Growth ratings suggest investors should weigh competitive positioning carefully. Pro members can access the complete pillar analysis for a deeper view.
What is the main competitive advantage of W.W. Grainger?
Grainger's scale, extensive product catalog, and long-standing customer relationships across industrial and institutional segments form its primary competitive foundation. Its dual-channel model — combining dedicated sales representatives with a large e-commerce platform — allows it to serve both complex enterprise buyers and smaller transactional customers effectively.
What sector does GWW belong to?
GWW operates in the Industrials sector, specifically within the MRO and industrial distribution subsegment. This sector is broadly tied to business investment, facility operations, and manufacturing activity, making Grainger's performance sensitive to broader economic conditions and industrial demand cycles.
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Pro Analysis
GWW — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2026 | 60.5 | 75.1 | 47.0 | 52.8 | 80.3 | 48.9 | +0.3 |
| May 7, 2026 | 60.2 | 74.9 | 47.0 | 49.1 | 79.7 | 53.0 | -0.1 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 60.3 | 74.9 | 47.0 | 49.1 | 79.7 | 53.7 | +0.1 |
| Apr 23, 2026 | 60.2 | 74.9 | 47.0 | 49.1 | 79.7 | 53.2 | -0.1 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 60.3 | 74.9 | 47.0 | 49.1 | 79.7 | 53.5 | +0.1 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 60.2 | 74.9 | 47.0 | 49.1 | 79.7 | 53.2 | -0.5 |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 60.7 | 74.9 | 47.0 | 49.1 | 79.7 | 56.6 | 0.0 |
| Apr 12, 2026 | 60.7 | 74.8 | 47.0 | 49.1 | 79.7 | 56.2 | -0.3 |
| Apr 10, 2026 | 61.0 | 74.8 | 47.0 | 49.1 | 79.7 | 58.5 | 0.0 |
| Apr 9, 2026 | 61.0 | 74.9 | 47.0 | 49.1 | 79.7 | 58.5 | -0.1 |
GWW — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 75.1/100 (25%)W.W. Grainger, Inc. demonstrates outstanding capital efficiency and profitability, placing it among the highest-quality businesses in the market.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 53.1/100 (20%)W.W. Grainger, Inc. shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 80.3/100 (15%)W.W. Grainger, Inc. carries minimal financial risk with conservative leverage and strong solvency.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 49.2/100 (15%)W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a mixed valuation — some metrics suggest fair value while others appear stretched.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 47/100 (25%)W.W. Grainger, Inc. possesses some competitive advantages but faces meaningful competition. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for GWW.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the GWW UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for W.W. Grainger, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses W.W. Grainger, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether W.W. Grainger, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.