Concord Asset Management LLC VA Grows Holdings in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW)

Concord Asset Management LLC VA raised its position in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW - Free Report) by 26.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,285 shares of the industrial products company's stock after purchasing an additional 482 shares during the period. Concord Asset Management LLC VA's holdings in W.W. Grainger were worth $2,374,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new stake in W.W. Grainger in the 1st quarter worth approximately $41,000. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of W.W. Grainger by 9.4% during the first quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 561 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $570,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the period. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in W.W. Grainger during the 1st quarter valued at about $487,000. Cynosure Group LLC bought a new position in W.W. Grainger during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $332,000. Finally, Covestor Ltd raised its position in W.W. Grainger by 53.8% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 140 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $143,000 after purchasing an additional 49 shares during the last quarter. 80.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at W.W. Grainger

In other news, CEO Donald G. Macpherson sold 27,502 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,000.82, for a total transaction of $27,524,551.64. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 111,559 shares in the company, valued at approximately $111,650,478.38. This represents a 19.78 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, VP Laurie R. Thomson sold 125 shares of W.W. Grainger stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,206.03, for a total value of $150,753.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 675 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $814,070.25. This trade represents a 15.63 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 50,900 shares of company stock valued at $52,640,733. 9.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

W.W. Grainger Stock Performance

GWW traded up $2.32 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $1,178.33. The company had a trading volume of 232,113 shares, compared to its average volume of 237,434. W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a 1 year low of $772.13 and a 1 year high of $1,227.66. The company has a quick ratio of 1.68, a current ratio of 2.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59. The company has a market cap of $57.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.94, a P/E/G ratio of 3.25 and a beta of 1.15. The business has a 50-day moving average of $1,078.55 and a two-hundred day moving average of $988.96.

W.W. Grainger (NYSE:GWW - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 31st. The industrial products company reported $9.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $9.98 by ($0.11). W.W. Grainger had a return on equity of 51.78% and a net margin of 10.80%. The firm had revenue of $4.39 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.40 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $9.43 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 4.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts predict that W.W. Grainger, Inc. will post 38.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

W.W. Grainger Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 11th will be given a dividend of $2.05 per share. This represents a $8.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.70%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 8th. W.W. Grainger's payout ratio is currently 22.23%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have issued reports on GWW shares. Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of W.W. Grainger in a research report on Friday, September 6th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $990.00 price objective on the stock. Loop Capital boosted their target price on shares of W.W. Grainger from $900.00 to $1,100.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, October 21st. Northcoast Research started coverage on shares of W.W. Grainger in a research note on Tuesday, October 29th. They issued a "neutral" rating for the company. StockNews.com raised shares of W.W. Grainger from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of W.W. Grainger from $1,018.00 to $1,125.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Friday, November 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, W.W. Grainger currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $1,086.50.

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.