The chart below shows how GWW performed 10 days before and after its earnings report, based on data from the past quarters. Typically, GWW sees a -3.95% change in stock price 10 days leading up to the earnings, and a +1.73% change 10 days following the report. On the earnings day itself, the stock moves by +2.85%. This data can give you a slight idea of what to expect for the next quarter's release.
Positive
Sales Performance Improvement: Total company reported sales for the quarter were up 4.3% or 4% on a daily organic constant-currency basis, indicating strong sales performance despite a challenging demand environment.
Effective Cash Management: Operating cash flow came in at $611 million in the quarter, allowing the company to return a total of $328 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, showcasing effective cash management.
Endless Assortment Sales Growth: The Endless Assortment segment saw sales increase by 8.1% or 11.5% on a daily constant-currency basis, driven by strong growth in both Zoro U.S. and MonotaRO, reflecting successful customer engagement strategies.
Operating Margin Improvement: Operating margins for the Endless Assortment segment increased by 130 basis points to 8.8%, with MonotaRO margins remaining strong at 12.4%, highlighting improved operational efficiency.
Diluted EPS Increase: Diluted EPS for the quarter was $9.87, up 4.7% from the prior year, reflecting higher sales and a lower share count, demonstrating strong profitability growth.
Negative
Operating Margin Decline: 1. Declining Operating Margins: Total company operating margins decreased by 30 basis points in Q3 2024, reflecting slight deleverage in the High-Touch Solutions segment.
Rising SG&A Costs: 2. Increased SG&A Costs: SG&A costs in the High-Touch Solutions segment rose, leading to a 30 basis point SG&A deleverage due to investments in demand generation amidst a softer topline.
Volume Growth Disappointment: 3. Volume Outgrowth Shortfall: Year-to-date volume outgrowth is approximately 350 basis points, falling short of the targeted 400 to 500 basis points, indicating weaker performance than expected.
Soft Market Demand: 4. Muted Demand Environment: The overall demand environment remains soft, with the company acknowledging that the market has been sluggish, impacting growth expectations.
Hurricane Sales Adjustment: 5. Hurricane-Related Sales Impact: The preliminary daily organic constant currency sales growth rate for October is closer to 4% to 4.5% when excluding the estimated 200 to 250 basis points of hurricane-related sales.
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) Q3 2024 Earnings Call Transcript
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