W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW - Get Free Report) CFO Deidra C. Merriwether sold 1,164 shares of W.W. Grainger stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $997.12, for a total transaction of $1,160,647.68. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 10,235 shares of the company's stock, valued at $10,205,523.20. This trade represents a 10.21 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website.
W.W. Grainger Stock Performance
Shares of GWW opened at $972.85 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 2.49 and a quick ratio of 1.49. W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a one year low of $874.98 and a one year high of $1,227.66. The company's fifty day moving average price is $1,017.02 and its 200 day moving average price is $1,076.46. The company has a market capitalization of $46.91 billion, a PE ratio of 25.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 1.20.
W.W. Grainger (NYSE:GWW - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 31st. The industrial products company reported $9.71 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $9.75 by ($0.04). W.W. Grainger had a return on equity of 52.43% and a net margin of 11.12%. During the same period last year, the firm posted $8.33 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that W.W. Grainger, Inc. will post 40.3 earnings per share for the current year.
W.W. Grainger Dividend Announcement
The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, March 1st. Investors of record on Monday, February 10th were given a dividend of $2.05 per share. This represents a $8.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.84%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 10th. W.W. Grainger's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 21.18%.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
A number of research firms have recently weighed in on GWW. StockNews.com downgraded W.W. Grainger from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, December 19th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on shares of W.W. Grainger from $1,113.00 to $1,112.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of W.W. Grainger from $1,125.00 to $1,100.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Wolfe Research lowered shares of W.W. Grainger from a "peer perform" rating to an "underperform" rating and set a $966.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Thursday. Finally, William Blair raised shares of W.W. Grainger from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, March 10th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, W.W. Grainger currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $1,130.89.
Get Our Latest Stock Report on W.W. Grainger
Hedge Funds Weigh In On W.W. Grainger
Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Cyrus J. Lawrence LLC acquired a new stake in shares of W.W. Grainger during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in W.W. Grainger by 43.5% during the fourth quarter. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC now owns 33 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 10 shares during the period. Investment Management Corp VA ADV acquired a new stake in W.W. Grainger during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $35,000. AlphaMark Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of W.W. Grainger in the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. Finally, OFI Invest Asset Management bought a new position in shares of W.W. Grainger during the 4th quarter worth approximately $42,000. 80.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
W.W. Grainger Company Profile
(
Get Free Report)
W.W. Grainger, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, distributes maintenance, repair, and operating products and services primarily in North America, Japan, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, High-Touch Solutions N.A. and Endless Assortment. The company provides safety, security, material handling and storage equipment, pumps and plumbing equipment, cleaning and maintenance, and metalworking and hand tools.
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