Scharf Investments LLC Has $2.36 Million Stock Position in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW)

Scharf Investments LLC boosted its holdings in shares of W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW) by 7.7% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,324 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after acquiring an additional 167 shares during the period. Scharf Investments LLC’s holdings in W.W. Grainger were worth $2,364,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its position in shares of W.W. Grainger by 9.7% in the 1st quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 15,243 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $15,506,000 after purchasing an additional 1,342 shares during the period. Agate Pass Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of W.W. Grainger in the first quarter valued at approximately $215,000. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of W.W. Grainger by 15.8% in the first quarter. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC now owns 448 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $456,000 after buying an additional 61 shares during the period. Sunbelt Securities Inc. increased its position in shares of W.W. Grainger by 500.0% during the first quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. now owns 78 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $79,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CIC Wealth LLC raised its holdings in shares of W.W. Grainger by 7.5% during the first quarter. CIC Wealth LLC now owns 1,219 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $1,240,000 after acquiring an additional 85 shares during the period. 80.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

W.W. Grainger Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE GWW traded down $4.99 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $903.80. 163,576 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 241,688. The stock has a market capitalization of $44.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.92, a P/E/G ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a quick ratio of 1.33, a current ratio of 2.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $929.88 and its 200-day simple moving average is $924.47. W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a twelve month low of $674.41 and a twelve month high of $1,034.18.

W.W. Grainger (NYSE:GWW) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 25th. The industrial products company reported $9.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $9.57 by $0.05. W.W. Grainger had a net margin of 10.94% and a return on equity of 54.31%. The firm had revenue of $4.24 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.26 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $9.61 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that W.W. Grainger, Inc. will post 39.22 earnings per share for the current year.

W.W. Grainger Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 13th were issued a $2.05 dividend. This represents a $8.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.91%. This is a positive change from W.W. Grainger’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.86. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 10th. W.W. Grainger’s dividend payout ratio is currently 22.64%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on GWW shares. StockNews.com downgraded W.W. Grainger from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 29th. Erste Group Bank reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of W.W. Grainger in a report on Friday, June 14th. Robert W. Baird lowered shares of W.W. Grainger from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $1,000.00 to $975.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 29th. Loop Capital decreased their price objective on W.W. Grainger from $1,000.00 to $975.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 29th. Finally, Stephens upgraded shares of W.W. Grainger from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $1,000.00 to $1,250.00 in a report on Monday, April 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $959.44.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, SVP Matt Fortin sold 511 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $915.20, for a total value of $467,667.20. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 1,848 shares in the company, valued at $1,691,289.60. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Company insiders own 9.50% of the company’s stock.

W.W. Grainger Company Profile

W.W. Grainger, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, distributes maintenance, repair, and operating products and services primarily in North America, Japan, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, High-Touch Solutions N.A. and Endless Assortment. The company provides safety, security, material handling and storage equipment, pumps and plumbing equipment, cleaning and maintenance, and metalworking and hand tools.