About W.W. Grainger, Inc.
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) has been publicly traded since 1973, making it a 53-year-old public company. It operates in the Industrial Distribution industry within the Industrials sector. The company is headquartered in Lake Forest, United States and employs approximately 22,100 people. With a market capitalization of $51 billion, GWW is a large established company.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- $1,073.94
- Market Cap
- $51.07B
- 52-Week High
- $1,218.63
- 52-Week Low
- $893.99
- Sector
- Industrials
- Industry
- Industrial Distribution
$1,000 Invested
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Annual Returns
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +6.63% | $1,007.15 | $1,073.94 |
| 2025 | -3.41% | $1,042.73 | $1,007.15 |
| 2024 | +28.21% | $813.31 | $1,042.73 |
| 2023 | +50.53% | $540.28 | $813.31 |
| 2022 | +8.75% | $496.82 | $540.28 |
| 2021 | +28.80% | $385.74 | $496.82 |
| 2020 | +22.85% | $314.00 | $385.74 |
| 2019 | +22.25% | $256.85 | $314.00 |
| 2018 | +21.69% | $211.08 | $256.85 |
| 2017 | +4.35% | $202.29 | $211.08 |
| 2016 | +17.27% | $172.49 | $202.29 |
| 2015 | -18.91% | $212.72 | $172.49 |
| 2014 | +1.52% | $209.53 | $212.72 |
| 2013 | +28.04% | $163.64 | $209.53 |
| 2012 | +9.75% | $149.10 | $163.64 |
| 2011 | +37.82% | $108.18 | $149.10 |
| 2010 | +45.30% | $74.45 | $108.18 |
| 2009 | +25.45% | $59.35 | $74.45 |
| 2008 | -8.20% | $64.65 | $59.35 |
| 2007 | +27.14% | $50.85 | $64.65 |
| 2006 | -0.07% | $50.89 | $50.85 |
| 2005 | +8.33% | $46.97 | $50.89 |
| 2004 | +42.70% | $32.92 | $46.97 |
| 2003 | -6.61% | $35.25 | $32.92 |
| 2002 | +8.92% | $32.36 | $35.25 |
| 2001 | +33.78% | $24.19 | $32.36 |
| 2000 | -22.31% | $31.13 | $24.19 |
| 1999 | +16.49% | $26.72 | $31.13 |
| 1998 | -13.28% | $30.82 | $26.72 |
| 1997 | +22.62% | $25.13 | $30.82 |
| 1996 | +22.82% | $20.46 | $25.13 |
| 1995 | +16.41% | $17.58 | $20.46 |
| 1994 | +1.72% | $17.28 | $17.58 |
| 1993 | -2.99% | $17.81 | $17.28 |
| 1992 | +12.00% | $15.90 | $17.81 |
| 1991 | +65.92% | $9.59 | $15.90 |
| 1990 | +4.78% | $9.15 | $9.59 |
| 1989 | +21.74% | $7.51 | $9.15 |
| 1988 | -7.05% | $8.08 | $7.51 |
| 1987 | +37.10% | $5.90 | $8.08 |
| 1986 | +15.34% | $5.11 | $5.90 |
| 1985 | +36.58% | $3.74 | $5.11 |
| 1984 | -6.71% | $4.01 | $3.74 |
| 1983 | +14.95% | $3.49 | $4.01 |
| 1982 | +44.11% | $2.42 | $3.49 |
| 1981 | +7.61% | $2.25 | $2.42 |
| 1980 | -7.69% | $2.44 | $2.25 |
| 1979 | +15.00% | $2.12 | $2.44 |
| 1978 | +3.17% | $2.06 | $2.12 |
| 1977 | +5.00% | $1.96 | $2.06 |
| 1976 | +20.00% | $1.63 | $1.96 |
| 1975 | +43.88% | $1.13 | $1.63 |
| 1974 | -49.82% | $2.26 | $1.13 |
Valuation
GWW currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 30.3, which is considered high relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 22.2 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 13.6. The price-to-sales ratio is 2.8.
Dividends
W.W. Grainger, Inc. pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 0.84%. This translates to $9.04 per share annually. The payout ratio of 25% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
GWW has a beta of 1.09, indicating it is slightly more volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is $893.99 to $1218.63, and it currently trades in the upper half of its 52-week range.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 16 analyst opinions, GWW has a consensus "hold" rating. The average price target of $1143.88 suggests 6.5% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does W.W. Grainger, Inc. do? ▼
W.W. Grainger, Inc. is a Industrial Distribution company operating in the Industrials sector. The company is headquartered in Lake Forest, United States.
What sector is GWW in? ▼
GWW operates in the Industrials sector, specifically in the Industrial Distribution industry.
When did GWW go public? ▼
W.W. Grainger, Inc. went public in 1973, making it a 53-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would $1,000 invested in GWW 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A $1,000 investment in GWW five years ago would be worth approximately $2,915 today, representing a 191.5% return.
Does GWW pay dividends? ▼
Yes, W.W. Grainger, Inc. pays a dividend with a current yield of 0.84%, which is $9.04 per share annually.
What is GWW's market cap? ▼
W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a market capitalization of $51 billion, classifying it as a large-cap company.
What is GWW's P/E ratio? ▼
GWW has a trailing P/E ratio of 30.3 and a forward P/E of 22.2, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is GWW a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 16 opinions, GWW has a consensus "hold" rating. The average price target is $1143.88.
Last updated: 3/14/2026