GRAINGER REPORTS RESULTS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER 2024
Rhea-AI Summary
Grainger (GWW) reported Q3 2024 results with sales of $4.4 billion, up 4.3% year-over-year, and diluted EPS of $9.87, up 4.7%. Operating margin was 15.6%, down 30 basis points. The company generated $611 million in operating cash flow and returned $328 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.
High-Touch Solutions N.A. segment sales increased 3.3%, while Endless Assortment segment grew 8.1%. The company narrowed its 2024 guidance, projecting daily organic constant currency sales growth of 4.5% to 5.25% and adjusted diluted EPS of $38.65 to $39.35.
Positive
- Sales increased 4.3% to $4.4 billion
- Diluted EPS grew 4.7% to $9.87
- Generated strong operating cash flow of $611 million
- Endless Assortment segment showed robust growth of 8.1%
- Raised lower end of 2024 guidance for sales and EPS
Negative
- Operating margin declined 30 basis points to 15.6%
- Gross profit margin decreased 10 basis points to 39.2%
- Effective tax rate increased to 24.8% from 24.4%
Insights
W.W. Grainger delivered a solid Q3 2024 with
The company's guidance revision is particularly noteworthy - narrowing the full-year EPS range to
Segment performance shows resilience in core markets, with High-Touch Solutions maintaining steady growth despite a challenging environment. The Endless Assortment segment's
Continued strong execution fueling results;
Company narrows 2024 earnings outlook
Third Quarter Highlights
- Delivered sales of
$4.4 billion 4.3% , or4.0% on a daily, organic constant currency basis - Achieved operating margin of
15.6% , down 30 basis points - Generated diluted EPS of
$9.87 4.7% - Produced
$611 million $328 million - Narrowing 2024 total Company earnings guidance ranges, including daily, organic constant currency sales growth of
4.5% to5.25% and adjusted diluted EPS of$38.65 $39.35
"From helping customers respond to natural disasters to supporting their safety needs, the team remains sharply focused on providing a flawless experience. As a result, throughout the third quarter, our customer relationships grew and results remained solid amidst a slow, but steady demand market, " said D.G. Macpherson, Chairman and CEO. "As we close out 2024, we are confident in our ability to execute well, meet our goals and drive results for all stakeholders."
2024 Third Quarter Financial Summary
($ in millions, except per share amounts) | Q3 2024 (1) | Q3 2023 (1) | Q3'24 vs. Q3'23 Fav. / (Unfav.) |
Net Sales | 4.3 % | ||
Gross Profit | 3.9 % | ||
Operating Earnings | 2.8 % | ||
Net Earnings Attributable to W.W. Grainger, Inc. | 2.1 % | ||
Diluted Earnings Per Share | 4.7 % | ||
Gross Profit Margin | 39.2 % | 39.3 % | (10) bps |
15.6 % | 15.9 % | (30) bps | |
Effective Tax Rate | 24.8 % | 24.4 % | (40) bps |
(1) Results are consistent on a reported and adjusted basis. | |||
Revenue
Sales in the quarter increased
In the High-Touch Solutions - N.A. segment, sales were up
Gross Profit Margin
Gross profit margin was
In the High-Touch Solutions - N.A. segment, 2024 third quarter gross profit margin was
Earnings
For the third quarter of 2024, total company operating earnings were
Diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2024 were
Tax Rate
The third quarter 2024 effective tax rate was
Cash Flow
During the third quarter of 2024, the Company generated
Guidance
The Company is providing the following updated 2024 guidance, including a narrowed earnings outlook.
Total Company(1) | 2024 Guidance Range (as of August 1, 2024) | 2024 Guidance Range (as of October 31, 2024) |
Net Sales | ||
Sales Growth | ||
Daily, organic constant currency sales growth | ||
Gross Profit Margin | ||
Operating Margin | ||
Diluted Earnings per Share | ||
Operating Cash Flow | ||
CapEx (cash basis) | ||
Share Buyback | ||
Effective Tax Rate | ~ | ~ |
Segment Operating Margin | ||
High-Touch Solutions - N.A. | ||
Endless Assortment |
(1) | Guidance provided is on an adjusted basis. Daily, organic constant currency sales growth is adjusted for the impact of two additional selling days in 2024 as compared to 2023, the sale of the Company's divested E & R Industrial Sales, Inc. subsidiary completed in the fourth quarter of 2023, and changes in foreign exchange. The Company does not reconcile forward-looking non GAAP financial measures. For further details see the supplemental information of this release. |
Webcast
The Company will conduct a live conference call and webcast at 11:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, October 31, 2024, to discuss the third quarter results. The event will be hosted by D.G. Macpherson, Chairman and CEO, and Deidra Merriwether, Senior Vice President and CFO, and can be accessed at invest.grainger.com. To access the conference call via phone, please send a request to InvestorRelations@grainger.com. For those unable to participate in the live event, a webcast replay will be available for 90 days at invest.grainger.com.
About Grainger
W.W. Grainger, Inc., is a leading broad line distributor with operations primarily in
Visit invest.grainger.com to view information about the Company, including a supplement regarding 2024 third quarter results. Additional Company information can be found on the Grainger Investor Relations website which includes the Company Snapshot and ESG report.
Safe Harbor Statement
All statements in this communication, other than those relating to historical facts, are "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by their use of terms such as "believe," "could," "future," "guidance," "may," "predict," "prospects," "will," or "would," and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future strategic plans and future financial and operating results. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those presented or implied in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation: inflation, higher product costs or other expenses, including operational and administrative expenses; the impact of macroeconomic pressures and geopolitical trends, changes and events; a major loss of customers; loss or disruption of sources of supply; changes in customer or product mix; increased competitive pricing pressures; changes in third party practices regarding digital advertising; failure to enter into or sustain contractual arrangements on a satisfactory basis with group purchasing organizations; failure to develop, manage or implement new technology initiatives or business strategies, including with respect to Grainger's eCommerce platforms; failure to adequately protect intellectual property or successfully defend against infringement claims; fluctuations or declines in Grainger's gross profit margin; Grainger's responses to market pressures; the outcome of pending and future litigation or governmental or regulatory proceedings, including with respect to wage and hour, anti-bribery and corruption, environmental, regulations related to advertising, marketing and the Internet, consumer protection, pricing (including disaster or emergency declaration pricing statutes), product liability, compliance or safety, trade and export compliance, general commercial disputes, or privacy and cybersecurity matters; investigations, inquiries, audits and changes in laws and regulations; failure to comply with laws, regulations and standards, including new or stricter environmental laws or regulations; government contract matters; the impact of any government shutdown; disruption or breaches of information technology or data security systems involving Grainger or third parties on which Grainger depends; general industry, economic, market or political conditions; general global economic conditions including tariffs and trade issues and policies; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; market volatility, including price and trading volume volatility or price declines of Grainger's common stock; commodity price volatility; facilities disruptions or shutdowns; higher fuel costs or disruptions in transportation services; outbreaks of pandemic disease or viral contagions; natural or human induced disasters, extreme weather and other catastrophes or conditions; effects of climate change; failure to execute on our efforts and programs related to environmental, social and governance matters; competition for, or failure to attract, retain, train, motivate and develop executives and key employees; loss of key members of management or key employees; loss of operational flexibility and potential for work stoppages or slowdowns if employees unionize or join a collective bargaining arrangement; changes in effective tax rates; changes in credit ratings or outlook; Grainger's incurrence of indebtedness or failure to comply with restrictions and obligations under its debt agreements and instruments; and other factors that can be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent periodic reports filed on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, which are available on our Investor Relations website. Forward-looking statements are given only as of the date of this communication and we disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
W.W. Grainger, Inc. and Subsidiaries CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (In millions of dollars, except for share and per share amounts) (Unaudited) | |||||||
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
Net sales | $ 4,388 | $ 4,208 | $ 12,935 | $ 12,481 | |||
Cost of goods sold | 2,668 | 2,553 | 7,853 | 7,548 | |||
Gross profit | 1,720 | 1,655 | 5,082 | 4,933 | |||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 1,034 | 988 | 3,078 | 2,925 | |||
Operating earnings | 686 | 667 | 2,004 | 2,008 | |||
Other (income) expense: | |||||||
Interest expense – net | 19 | 22 | 60 | 70 | |||
Other – net | (4) | (7) | (18) | (21) | |||
Total other expense – net | 15 | 15 | 42 | 49 | |||
Earnings before income taxes | 671 | 652 | 1,962 | 1,959 | |||
Income tax provision | 166 | 159 | 470 | 468 | |||
Net earnings | 505 | 493 | 1,492 | 1,491 | |||
Less net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest | 19 | 17 | 58 | 57 | |||
Net earnings attributable to W.W. Grainger, Inc. | $ 486 | $ 476 | $ 1,434 | $ 1,434 | |||
Earnings per share: | |||||||
Basic | $ 9.90 | $ 9.47 | $ 29.10 | $ 28.45 | |||
Diluted | $ 9.87 | $ 9.43 | $ 29.00 | $ 28.32 | |||
Weighted average number of shares outstanding: | |||||||
Basic | 48.8 | 49.9 | 49.0 | 50.1 | |||
Diluted | 48.9 | 50.1 | 49.2 | 50.3 | |||
W.W. Grainger, Inc. and Subsidiaries CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In millions of dollars) (Unaudited)
| |||
As of | |||
(Unaudited) | |||
Assets | September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |
Current assets | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 1,448 | $ 660 | |
Accounts receivable (less allowance for credit losses of | 2,346 | 2,192 | |
Inventories – net | 2,170 | 2,266 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 219 | 156 | |
Total current assets | 6,183 | 5,274 | |
Property, buildings and equipment – net | 1,746 | 1,658 | |
Goodwill | 366 | 370 | |
Intangibles – net | 247 | 234 | |
Operating lease right-of-use | 400 | 429 | |
Other assets | 172 | 182 | |
Total assets | $ 9,114 | $ 8,147 | |
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | |||
Current liabilities | |||
Current maturities | $ 497 | $ 34 | |
Trade accounts payable | 1,046 | 954 | |
Accrued compensation and benefits | 306 | 327 | |
Operating lease liability | 78 | 71 | |
Accrued expenses | 429 | 397 | |
Income taxes payable | 27 | 48 | |
Total current liabilities | 2,383 | 1,831 | |
Long-term debt | 2,279 | 2,266 | |
Long-term operating lease liability | 353 | 381 | |
Deferred income taxes and tax uncertainties | 125 | 104 | |
Other non-current liabilities | 118 | 124 | |
Shareholders' equity | 3,856 | 3,441 | |
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ 9,114 | $ 8,147 | |
W.W. Grainger, Inc. and Subsidiaries CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In millions of dollars) (Unaudited)
| |||||||
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||
2024 | 2023(1) | 2024 | 2023(1) | ||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||
Net earnings | $ 505 | $ 493 | $ 1,492 | $ 1,491 | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||
Provision for credit losses | 6 | 6 | 18 | 15 | |||
Deferred income taxes and tax uncertainties | 9 | 3 | 24 | 20 | |||
Depreciation and amortization | 59 | 55 | 175 | 157 | |||
Non-cash lease expense | 20 | 18 | 61 | 56 | |||
Net (gains) losses from sale of assets | — | (4) | — | (4) | |||
Stock-based compensation | 14 | 18 | 48 | 49 | |||
Change in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||
Accounts receivable | 22 | (48) | (183) | (351) | |||
Inventories | 15 | 14 | 86 | 42 | |||
Prepaid expenses and other assets | 16 | 11 | (26) | 104 | |||
Trade accounts payable | (85) | (92) | 99 | 55 | |||
Operating lease liabilities | (26) | (23) | (73) | (65) | |||
Accrued liabilities | 54 | 77 | 36 | (92) | |||
Income taxes – net | (2) | (6) | (64) | (34) | |||
Other non-current liabilities | 4 | 1 | (10) | (16) | |||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 611 | 523 | 1,683 | 1,427 | |||
Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||
Capital expenditures | (88) | (125) | (283) | (318) | |||
Proceeds from sale of assets | 1 | 9 | 2 | 11 | |||
Other – net | 2 | — | 19 | — | |||
Net cash used in investing activities | (85) | (116) | (262) | (307) | |||
Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||
Proceeds from debt | 500 | 1 | 503 | 7 | |||
Payments of debt | (21) | (19) | (38) | (37) | |||
Proceeds from stock options exercised | 16 | 1 | 26 | 29 | |||
Payments for employee taxes withheld from stock awards | (4) | (3) | (44) | (32) | |||
Purchases of treasury stock | (227) | (193) | (739) | (506) | |||
Cash dividends paid | (115) | (106) | (321) | (300) | |||
Other – net | (1) | 1 | (2) | — | |||
Net cash used in financing activities | 148 | (318) | (615) | (839) | |||
Exchange rate effect on cash and cash equivalents | 5 | (3) | (18) | (5) | |||
Net change in cash and cash equivalents | 679 | 86 | 788 | 276 | |||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 769 | 515 | 660 | 325 | |||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ 1,448 | $ 601 | $ 1,448 | $ 601 | |||
(1) | Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation of Grainger's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The reclassifications had no impact on previously reported results including net cash provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. |
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP
FINANCIAL MEASURES (Unaudited)
The Company supplements the reporting of financial information determined under
Basis of presentation
The Company has a controlling ownership interest in MonotaRO, which is part of our Endless Assortment segment. MonotaRO's results are fully consolidated, reflected in
Adjusted gross profit, adjusted SG&A, adjusted operating earnings, adjusted operating margin, adjusted net earnings, adjusted diluted EPS
Exclude certain non-recurring items, like restructuring charges, asset impairments, gains and losses associated with business divestitures and other non-recurring, infrequent or unusual gains and losses (together referred to as "non-GAAP adjustments"), from the Company's most directly comparable reported
Free cash flow (FCF)
Calculated using total cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. The Company believes the presentation of FCF allows investors to evaluate the capacity of the Company's operations to generate free cash flow.
Daily sales
Refers to sales for the period divided by the number of
Daily, constant currency sales
Refers to daily sales adjusted for changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Daily, organic constant currency sales
Refers to daily sales excluding the sales of certain divested businesses in the comparable prior year period and changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Foreign currency exchange
Calculated by dividing current period local currency daily sales by current period average exchange rate and subtracting the current period local currency daily sales divided by the prior period average exchange rate.
2023: Q1-64, Q2-64, Q3-63, Q4-63, FY-254
2024: Q1-64, Q2-64, Q3-64, Q4-64, FY-256
2025: Q1-63, Q2-64, Q3-64, Q4-64, FY-255
As non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these measures with other companies' non-GAAP measures having the same or similar names. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for reported results. These non-GAAP measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of operations that, when viewed with GAAP results, provide a more complete understanding of the business. This press release also includes certain non-GAAP forward-looking information. The Company believes that a quantitative reconciliation of such forward-looking information to the most comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP cannot be made available without unreasonable efforts. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures would require the Company to predict the timing and likelihood of future restructurings, asset impairments, and other charges. Neither of these forward-looking measures, nor their probable significance, can be quantified with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Accordingly, a reconciliation of the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measures is not provided.
The reconciliations provided below reconciles GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP financial measures used in this release: daily sales; daily, organic constant currency sales; free cash flow; adjusted operating margin; and adjustments reflected in the consolidated statements of earnings.
Sales growth for the three months ended September 30, 2024 (percent change compared to prior year period) (unaudited)
| |||
Q3 2024 | |||
Total Company | High-Touch Solutions - N.A. | Endless Assortment | |
Reported sales | 4.3 % | 3.3 % | 8.1 % |
Day impact | (1.7) % | (1.6) % | (1.7) % |
Daily sales(1) | 2.6 % | 1.7 % | 6.4 % |
Business divestiture(2) | 0.4 % | 0.5 % | — % |
Foreign currency exchange(3) | 1.0 % | 0.3 % | 5.1 % |
Daily, organic constant currency sales | 4.0 % | 2.5 % | 11.5 % |
| |||
(2) Reflects the divestiture of Grainger's subsidiary, E & R Industrial Sales, Inc., completed in the fourth quarter of 2023. | |||
(3) Excludes the impact of year-over-year foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. | |||
Free cash flow (FCF) for the three months ended September 30, 2024 (in millions of dollars) (unaudited)
| |
Q3 2024 | |
Net cash flows provided by operating activities | $ 611 |
Capital expenditures | (88) |
Free cash flow | $ 523 |
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SOURCE W.W. Grainger, Inc.
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