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Grainger Reports Third Quarter Results for 2026

On November 4, 2026, W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE: GWW) disclosed its financial results for the third quarter of 2026, highlighting solid momentum across its operations. The company delivered sales figures that reached $5.2 billion, reflecting an 11.3% increase compared to the previous year's third quarter. When adjusting for foreign currency fluctuations and certain non-recurring items, the daily organic constant currency sales growth was even more impressive at 14.9%.

Financial Highlights

The financial summary for the third quarter presented significant achievements:

• - Sales: $5.2 billion, up 11.3% from $4.7 billion in Q3 2025.
• - Operating Margin: Improved to 16.0%, a 500 basis points increase compared to last year.
• - Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS): Reported EPS was $12.42, showing a dramatic rise of 102.9%, while adjusted EPS climbed to $12.54, a 22.8% increase.
• - Operating Cash Flow: Generated $661 million and returned $396 million to shareholders, supported by robust operating performance.

D.G. Macpherson, Chairman and CEO of Grainger, spoke about the results, emphasizing the company's commitment to meeting customer needs with high-quality products and solutions. Both the High-Touch Solutions and Endless Assortment segments contributed to the strong growth performance this quarter, with substantial volume increases and ongoing price inflation.

Sales Performance by Segment

Grainger detailed the sales outcomes of its primary business segments:

• - High-Touch Solutions - N.A.: Increased sales by 13.8% on both reported and daily constant currency bases, driven by enhanced demand and pricing strategies.
• - Endless Assortment Segment: Achieved a 11.9% sales growth rate, powering forward with a notable 19.3% increase on a daily, organic constant currency basis, largely fueled by the success of MonotaRO and Zoro brands.

These figures underscore the healthy demand environment that has allowed Grainger to position itself solidly against market challenges.

Outlook for 2026

Grainger has revised its guidance for the full year 2026 based on the substantial third-quarter performance:

• - Net Sales Guidance: Updated to a range of $19.8 billion to $20.0 billion.
• - Earnings Per Share Projection: Revised to $47.00 - $48.00 adjusted diluted EPS.
• - Operating Cash Flow Target: Adjusted to $2.35 billion - $2.45 billion.

This updated outlook is a testament to Grainger's resilience and operational efficiency in the current market landscape. The company remains on track to deliver strong results as it navigates its strategic initiatives, including innovative technology integration and marketing efforts.

Conclusion

As the last quarter of 2026 approaches, Grainger is positioned to end the year with robust results, driven by effective strategies and a strong customer base. Investors and stakeholders will be keen to see how these factors unfold in the upcoming months as the company conducts a conference call to provide further insights into its quarter’s performance. The confidence in achieving these projections is reflected not only in the updated guidance but also in Grainger's strategic focus on maintaining operational excellence and customer satisfaction. For detailed information, individuals can access Grainger's investor relations site and participate in the forthcoming conference live stream for a comprehensive review of the quarterly achievements.

Overall, Grainger continues to hold a pivotal role in the maintenance, repair, and operations supply chain sector as it emphasizes its dedication to keeping the world working effectively.