W.W. Grainger, Inc.: EPS $12.54 vs $11.68 expected; revenue $5.18B vs $5.08B
Key Facts
Q3 FY2026 results
| Metric | Actual | Estimate | Surprise | Year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPS (USD) | 12.54 | 11.68 | +7.4% | 10.21 |
| Revenue (USD bn) | 5.18 | 5.08 | +2.0% | 4.66 |
Recent reports: actual vs estimate
| Reported | Period | EPS (USD) | Estimate | Surprise | Revenue (USD bn) | Estimate | Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 4, 2026 | Q3 FY2026 | 12.54 | 11.68 | +7.4% | 5.18 | 5.08 | +2.0% |
| Aug 4, 2026 | Q2 FY2026 | 12.01 | 11.30 | +6.3% | 5.02 | 4.96 | +1.3% |
| May 7, 2026 | Q1 FY2026 | 11.65 | 10.21 | +14.1% | 4.74 | 4.58 | +3.6% |
| Feb 3, 2026 | Q4 FY2025 | 9.44 | 9.46 | −0.2% | 4.43 | 4.40 | +0.6% |
| Oct 31, 2025 | Q3 FY2025 | 10.21 | 9.98 | +2.3% | 4.66 | 4.64 | +0.3% |
| Aug 1, 2025 | Q2 FY2025 | 9.97 | 10.07 | −1.0% | 4.55 | 4.53 | +0.6% |
| May 1, 2025 | Q1 FY2025 | 9.86 | 9.48 | +4.0% | 4.31 | 4.32 | −0.3% |
| Jan 31, 2025 | Q4 FY2024 | 9.71 | 9.74 | −0.3% | 4.23 | 4.24 | −0.2% |
Source: Figures from the EL7 database. Estimates are the analyst consensus carried by our data vendor (FMP), not official figures.
W.W. Grainger, Inc. results: EPS $12.54 vs $11.68 expected; revenue $5.18B vs $5.08B. The results cover the company's Q3 FY2026. EPS came in above analysts' estimate by 7.4%; revenue above the estimate by 2.0%.
Revenue was up 11.3% from $4.66 billion a year earlier (Q3 FY2025). EPS was up 22.8% from $10.21 a year earlier. On its record, EPS topped analysts' estimates in 4 of 7 earlier comparable reports.
What the results mean
According to the company's results release, management raised its financial outlook.
The results of W.W. Grainger, Inc. reflect improving demand and consistent execution, according to management. Sales volume growth and the passing through of cost increases supported High-Touch Solutions in North America, while MonotaRO and Zoro supported Endless Assortment. Business growth therefore drew on underlying demand as well as pricing.
Operating profitability improved as growing sales spread operating expenses across a larger revenue base, with an additional benefit from the exit from the United Kingdom. Performance varied across the business: freight expense and sales mix pressured gross margin in High-Touch Solutions, while Endless Assortment margins improved. Assessing profitability therefore requires distinguishing operating improvement from the effect of the United Kingdom exit.
Strong earnings supported operating cash flow, providing funding for capital spending, dividends and share repurchases. A reduced share count and a lower effective tax rate also contributed to earnings per share growth, meaning that the increase did not come entirely from business performance.
What to watch on the earnings call: Durability of improving demand, the contributions of sales volumes and pricing to High-Touch Solutions growth, freight costs and sales mix, and the drivers of margin improvement at MonotaRO and Zoro, alongside clarification of the United Kingdom exit's effect on profitability and priorities for capital spending and cash allocation.
For the full analysis of W.W. Grainger, Inc. stock — valuation, scores and financial statements — see the stock page linked with this story.