Founded in 1927, W.W. Grainger originally distributed various motors via a mail-order catalogue. Over the course of the 20th century, the firm expanded into new industrial product categories and launched its first digital catalogue in 1995. Today, the company organizes itself into two segments focused on different customer bases. Its larger segment, high-touch solutions, offers a vast array of maintenance, repair, and operations, or MRO, supplies and bespoke inventory management services to larger businesses. Its smaller segment, endless assortment, operates two online platforms, Zoro and MonotaRO, that offer comprehensive catalogues of MRO supplies to smaller businesses. Grainger has operations throughout the world but primarily generates sales within the US.
The chart shows the growth of an initial investment of $10,000 in W.W. Grainger, Inc., comparing it to the performance of the S&P 500 index. All prices have been adjusted for splits and dividends.
Returns By Period
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) has returned 10.94% so far this year and 20.86% over the past 12 months. Looking at the last ten years, GWW has achieved an annualized return of 16.93%, outperforming the Benchmark (SPY), which averaged 12.23% per year.
GWW
1M-3.43%
6M16.33%
YTD10.94%
1Y20.86%
5Y22.71%
10Y16.93%
Benchmark (SPY)
1M-3.85%
6M-2.35%
YTD-4.36%
1Y34.06%
5Y9.80%
10Y12.23%
Monthly Returns
The table below presents the monthly returns of W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) with color gradation from worst to best to easily spot seasonal factors.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2026
7.21%
5.33%
-4.70%
2.14%
2025
-0.11%
-2.16%
-3.25%
4.39%
4.00%
-3.65%
0.07%
8.26%
-5.22%
3.40%
-1.87%
7.16%
2024
9.03%
8.00%
4.54%
-9.29%
-0.07%
-2.22%
7.50%
4.85%
5.72%
6.83%
8.44%
-12.75%
2023
5.54%
14.33%
3.27%
1.52%
-7.01%
21.22%
-6.13%
-2.81%
-3.66%
5.29%
7.43%
5.45%
2022
-4.33%
-4.42%
8.16%
-3.66%
-3.44%
-6.96%
19.37%
2.58%
-11.40%
17.76%
2.31%
-8.09%
2021
-11.22%
1.50%
6.60%
7.79%
5.38%
-6.28%
0.44%
-1.40%
-9.43%
17.78%
3.53%
6.48%
2020
-10.91%
-9.21%
-11.05%
14.82%
14.23%
1.65%
8.61%
6.56%
-2.05%
-2.28%
18.08%
-3.77%
2019
5.92%
3.12%
-2.53%
-6.47%
-7.65%
2.43%
7.98%
-6.14%
9.44%
2.91%
1.54%
7.08%
2018
13.76%
-2.05%
8.16%
0.11%
10.38%
-0.46%
12.84%
2.31%
0.62%
-20.51%
10.26%
-11.18%
2017
8.20%
-2.08%
-6.36%
-17.20%
-10.78%
5.01%
-8.25%
-2.93%
10.57%
9.99%
10.79%
6.87%
2016
1.80%
-2.73%
-0.27%
-3.49%
5.58%
-2.64%
-6.96%
10.41%
0.24%
Performance Indicators
The charts below present risk-adjusted performance metrics for W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) and compare them to a Benchmark (SPY). These indicators evaluate an investment's returns against its associated risks.
Sharpe ratio
Sortino ratio
Omega ratio
Calmar ratio
Martin ratio
sharpe ratio
The Sharpe ratio helps investors understand how much return they're getting for the level of risk taken. A higher Sharpe ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance, meaning more reward for each unit of risk.
These values reflect how efficiently the investment has delivered returns relative to its volatility over different time periods. All figures are annualized and based on daily total returns.
The chart below shows the rolling Sharpe ratio of GWW compared to the benchmark. This view highlights how the investment's risk-adjusted performance has changed over time.
Volatility Chart
The current W.W. Grainger, Inc. volatility is 1.37%, representing the standart deviation of percentage change in the investments's value, either up or down over the past month. The chart below shows the rolling one-month volatility.
Drawdowns Chart
The Drawdowns chart displays portfolio losses from any high point along the way. It shows the maximum percentage drop from a peak to a trough over a specified period, indicating the risk of significant losses. Although chart shows positive values, it represents the percentage drop from the peak, so a value of 10% means the portfolio has dropped 10% from its highest point.
Income Statement
The income statement provides a summary of a company's revenues, expenses, and profits over a specific period. It shows how much money the company earned (revenues) and how much it spent (expenses), leading to the net income or profit. This statement is crucial for understanding a company's financial performance and profitability.
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
Liabilities And Equity (USD)
8.96B
8.83B
8.15B
7.59B
6.59B
6.30B
6.01B
5.87B
5.80B
5.69B
5.86B
5.28B
5.27B
5.01B
4.72B
Equity Attributable To Parent (USD)
3.74B
3.36B
3.12B
2.44B
1.87B
1.83B
1.86B
1.92B
1.69B
1.80B
2.27B
3.21B
3.25B
3.02B
2.63B
Equity Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest (USD)
The article highlights Eaton and W.W. Grainger as two dividend stocks positioned to benefit from the AI infrastructure supercycle. Eaton is experiencing strong demand for power and cooling solutions for data centers, with data center orders surging 200% year-over-year, while Grainger is expanding its product lines for data center and factory automation. Both companies offer modest dividend yields and have strong dividend growth histories.
The Motley Fool•Courtney Carlsen
AI Insight
Capitalizing on AI boom and data center buildout with expanded product lines for data centers and factory automation, leveraging AI for operational efficiencies, strong diversification across 4.6 million customers and 5,000 suppliers, and impressive 55-year dividend increase streak qualifying as a Dividend King.
Genuine Parts Company announced plans to separate its Automotive (NAPA) and Industrial (Motion) businesses into independent entities, similar to General Electric's restructuring. Despite a disastrous Q4 earnings report that caused a 14.5% stock decline due to pension settlements and supplier bankruptcy charges, the article argues this creates a special situation opportunity. The Industrial segment (Motion) is undervalued relative to pure-play industrial distributors, while the Automotive business provides defensive cash flow. With a 3.4% dividend yield and 12-month timeline to separation, investors have a 'paid-to-wait' scenario.
Investing.com•Jeffrey Neal Johnson
AI Insight
Used as a valuation benchmark for Motion's industrial distribution business. Grainger trades at premium 28-33x P/E multiples, establishing the comparison point for Motion's undervaluation but not directly analyzed as an investment opportunity.
KeHE Distributors announced the appointment of Steven A. White to its Board of Directors effective February 1, 2026. White brings extensive experience from leadership roles at Comcast, PepsiCo, and Colgate-Palmolive, along with current board positions at Hormel Foods and W.W. Grainger. His appointment is expected to strengthen KeHE's strategic direction and growth initiatives.
GlobeNewswire Inc.•Kehe Distributors
AI Insight
Grainger is mentioned only as a current board affiliation of the newly appointed director; no direct business impact or news related to Grainger is discussed.
W.W. Grainger reported Q2 2025 results with sales of $4.55 billion, slightly above estimates, but earnings per share missed expectations. The company lowered full-year guidance due to tariff impacts, with strong online segment performance offsetting margin pressures.
The Motley Fool•Jesterai
AI Insight
Missed earnings estimates, lowered full-year guidance, experienced margin compression due to tariff impacts, and reduced share repurchases indicate challenging business conditions
Battery Tender, a leading brand in battery chargers, has launched two new golf cart chargers designed for quick recharging and long-lasting use. The chargers are compatible with various battery types and golf cart models, and are built to withstand the elements.
GlobeNewswire Inc.•Uproar Pr For Battery Tender
AI Insight
Grainger is listed as one of the retailers where the Battery Tender chargers can be purchased, but no other information is provided about the company.
The industrial vending machine market is expected to grow significantly, driven by the increasing demand for automated inventory management solutions in manufacturing, warehousing, and construction industries. Key factors driving the market include the need for efficient inventory management, improved access to personal protective equipment, and the adoption of just-in-time inventory systems.
GlobeNewswire Inc.•Sns Insider
AI Insight
The article includes W.W. Grainger, Inc. as one of the major players in the industrial vending machine market, implying its significant role and potential for success in this industry.
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) announced a quarterly cash dividend of $2.05 per share, payable on December 1, 2024, to shareholders of record on November 11, 2024.
Benzinga•Prnewswire
AI Insight
The company announced a quarterly cash dividend, which is generally seen as a positive sign for shareholders.
The article highlights 15 dividend stocks that offer sustainable passive income, including Johnson & Johnson, Coca-Cola, Target, Lowe's, PepsiCo, Costco, AbbVie, Pfizer, Visa, S&P Global, Altria, AT&T, Grainger, Realty Income, and Philip Morris International.
The Motley Fool•George Budwell
AI Insight
Grainger is highlighted for its 0.79% yield and 20.9% payout ratio, reflecting the company's focus on impressive growth in the areas of maintenance, repair, and operations.
Newsweek and Statista have released their annual rankings of the World's Most Trustworthy Companies for 2024. The rankings are based on a survey of over 70,000 participants and a social listening analysis, evaluating companies on investor, customer, and employee trust. The top companies across 23 industries and 20 countries are recognized for their ethical business practices and commitment to transparency and responsibility.
GlobeNewswire Inc.•Newsweek
AI Insight
Grainger is recognized as one of the top companies in the Machines & Industrial Equipment industry, indicating that it has earned the trust of its customers, investors, and employees.
The article highlights six companies with long-term dividend growth potential, including Target, Parker-Hannifin, W.W. Grainger, Tennant, Walmart, and S&P Global. These companies have conservative payout ratios, decades-long track records of dividend increases, and strong competitive advantages, making them attractive long-term investments.
The Motley Fool•George Budwell
AI Insight
W.W. Grainger has increased its dividends for 53 consecutive years, has a conservative payout ratio, and possesses a strong economic moat, making it a reliable dividend growth stock.