NYSE$GWW

WW Grainger Inc · Q4 2021 earnings

Q4 2021 earnings · · Investor relations

Briefing

Grainger's Q4 2021 earnings surpassed expectations, driven by strong customer demand and effective execution of strategic initiatives.

Grainger reported a strong fourth quarter with sales of $3.4 billion, up 14.2% year-over-year, and adjusted EPS of $5.44, a 49% increase. The company's performance was fueled by robust customer demand and successful execution of strategic initiatives.

  • Sales increased by 14.2% to $3.4 billion, with a 16.9% increase on a daily, constant currency basis.
  • Gross margin expanded by 240 basis points to 37.3%.
  • Operating earnings reached $417 million, with an operating margin of 12.4%, up 305 basis points.
  • EPS increased by 74% to $5.44, and adjusted EPS increased by 49%.

Headline financials

Total Revenue

$3.36B

Previous: $2.94B+14.2%
EPS (adj)

$5.44

Previous: $3.66+48.6%
Operating margin

12.4%

No prior period
Capital Expenditures

$58M

Previous: $45M+28.9%
Free Cash Flow

$155M

Previous: $291M-46.7%
Net Income

$283M

Previous: $185M+53.0%
Operating Income

$417M

Previous: $275M+51.6%
Gross Profit

$1.25B

Previous: $1.03B+22.0%
Cash & Equivalents

$241M

Previous: $585M-58.8%
Total Assets

$6.59B

Previous: $6.3B+4.7%
Stock-Based Comp

$9M

Previous: $10M-10.0%

Revenue & EPS history

Grainger · Revenue · Quarterly

$3.36B

Q4 2021+14.2%vs Q4 2020
Beat estimate in 11 of 16 quarters(69%)
ActualEstimate

Forward guidance

The following 2022 guidance is being provided: Total Company2022 Guidance RangeNet Sales$14.1 - 14.5 billionDaily growth7.5 - 10.5%Gross Profit Margin36.8 - 37.3%Operating Margin12.5 - 13.1%Earnings per Share$23.50 - $25.50Operating Cash Flow$1.1 - 1.3 billionCapEx (cash basis)$275 - 325 millionShare Buyback$600 - 800 millionTax Rate24.0 - 25.0%Segment Operating MarginHigh-Touch Solutions N.A.14.4 - 15.0%Endless Assortment7.5 - 8.2%

Historical earnings impact

How earnings announcements have historically affected this stock's price.

Avg. return before/after earnings

Based on 20 quarterly earnings reports · overlaid with Q4 2021

Historical avgQ4 2021

+0.5%

Avg return

Earnings day

+1.1%

Avg return

5 days after

+2.8%

Avg return

30 days after

55%

40 / 73 earnings

Positive

+24.8%

Q4 2017

Best reaction

-12.4%

Q1 2017

Worst reaction

Earnings price reactions
QuarterReport dateReaction (Day 0)+5 days+30 days
Q1 2026+0.0%+6.9%+11.2%
Q4 2025+5.1%+9.3%+4.5%
Q3 2025+1.0%+0.6%-0.8%
Q2 2025-10.3%-7.6%-2.5%
Q1 2025+2.8%+1.7%+6.2%
Q4 2024-5.6%-7.4%-9.3%
Q3 2024+0.5%+2.1%+9.6%
Q2 2024-2.5%-2.5%+0.8%
Q1 2024-3.0%-3.9%+0.8%
Q4 2023+2.5%+2.4%+6.3%
Q3 2023+4.3%+7.7%+19.9%
Q2 2023-4.0%-4.8%-6.2%
Q1 2023+5.4%+4.4%+0.7%
Q4 2022+13.0%+13.4%+16.6%
Q3 2022+8.7%+8.6%+12.4%
Q2 2022+9.5%+8.2%+12.8%
Q1 2022+0.9%-2.4%-1.1%
Q4 2021-2.7%-3.8%-2.6%
Q3 2021+8.6%+10.1%+13.6%
Q2 2021-4.6%-4.7%-6.3%
Q1 2021+3.3%+7.1%+7.5%
Q4 2020-0.3%+1.5%+7.0%
Q3 2020-3.3%-4.2%+9.6%
Q2 2020+0.7%-1.6%+4.0%
Q1 2020-2.4%+3.6%+6.1%
Q4 2019-7.6%-5.9%-15.3%
Q3 2019-1.2%-0.9%-0.1%
Q2 2019+7.7%+4.6%-4.6%
Q1 2019-4.9%-5.3%-15.9%
Q4 2018-1.8%-0.3%+5.1%
Q3 2018-12.2%-13.1%-3.7%
Q2 2018+12.0%+12.4%+17.3%
Q1 2018+1.3%-1.8%+8.1%
Q4 2017+24.8%+19.6%+16.0%
Q3 2017+14.5%+14.0%+8.9%
Q2 2017-4.9%-4.4%-7.5%
Q1 2017-12.4%-12.5%-22.3%
Q4 2016+2.9%+2.2%+0.5%
Q3 2016-4.5%-5.0%+2.6%
Q2 2016-5.2%-4.8%+1.1%
Q1 2016-2.0%
Q4 2015-0.2%
Q3 2015-8.9%
Q2 2015+1.2%
Q1 2015-1.0%
Q4 2014-5.8%
Q3 2014-3.0%
Q2 2014-0.8%
Q1 2014+0.6%
Q4 2013-6.9%
Q3 2013+2.5%
Q2 2013+0.2%
Q1 2013+5.5%
Q4 2012+3.5%
Q3 2012-3.1%
Q2 2012+8.9%
Q1 2012+0.5%
Q4 2011-1.2%
Q3 2011+2.5%
Q2 2011-0.3%
Q1 2011+0.9%
Q4 2010+0.2%
Q3 2010+2.1%
Q2 2010+1.1%
Q1 2009+1.9%
Q1 2010+0.2%
Q4 2007-1.8%
Q4 2009-1.8%
Q3 2008+0.6%
Q3 2009+0.6%
Q4 2008+1.1%
Q2 2008+1.1%
Q2 2009+1.1%

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