Is W.W. Grainger Stock Outperforming the Nasdaq?

Sohini Mondal Barchart Tue Jun 10, 9:51AM CDT
W_W_ Grainger Inc_ storefront-by ZikG via Shutterstock

With a market cap of $51.8 billion, W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) is a broad-line distributor of maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products and services with operations. Headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois, the company operates through two segments: High-Touch Solutions North America and Endless Assortment.

Companies valued at $10 billion or more are generally classified as “large-cap” stocks, and W.W. Grainger fits this description perfectly. The company has a strong logistics network and digital capabilities, it offers over 2 million products through its branches, e-commerce platforms, and catalog services.

GWW stock declined 12.2% from its 52-week high of $1,227.66. W.W. Grainger stock has gained 7% over the past three months, slightly underperforming the broader Nasdaq Composite ($NASX), which increased 7.7% during the same period.

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Longer term, GWW stock is up 2.3% on a YTD basis, outperforming NASX's 1.5% return. Moreover, shares of W.W. Grainger have climbed 20.9% over the past 52 weeks, compared to NASX’s 14.4% increase over the same period.

The stock has been trading above its 50-day moving average since late April and its 200-day moving average since May.

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W.W. Grainger stock rose 2.8% after the release of its Q1 2025 earnings on May 1. Quarterly net sales came in at $4.3 billion, up 1.7% year-over-year, though it missed Street expectations. EPS grew 2.5% from the prior-year quarter to $9.86, exceeding the consensus estimate by 4.2%. For fiscal 2025, Grainger reaffirmed its outlook, expecting revenue in the range of $17.6 billion to $18.1 billion and EPS between $39 and $41.50. 

However, its rival, Core & Main, Inc. (CNM), has outperformed GWW stock. CNM stock has surged 24.9% over the past 52 weeks and nearly 16.5% on a YTD basis.

Despite GWW’s outperformance relative to the Nasdaq Composite over the past year, analysts remain cautious about its prospects. Among the 16 analysts covering the stock, there is a consensus rating of “Hold,” and it is currently trading below the mean price target of $1,109.55.  


On the date of publication, Sohini Mondal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.