W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW) Stock Holdings Lowered by Martingale Asset Management L P

Martingale Asset Management L P decreased its holdings in shares of W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW - Free Report) by 59.7% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 791 shares of the industrial products company's stock after selling 1,174 shares during the period. Martingale Asset Management L P's holdings in W.W. Grainger were worth $822,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. HWG Holdings LP acquired a new position in W.W. Grainger in the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of W.W. Grainger by 250.0% during the 3rd quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 28 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 20 shares during the period. Larson Financial Group LLC raised its stake in W.W. Grainger by 111.1% in the 3rd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 38 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares during the last quarter. Triad Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in W.W. Grainger in the 2nd quarter valued at $42,000. Finally, Fortitude Family Office LLC raised its stake in W.W. Grainger by 38.9% in the 3rd quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 50 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $52,000 after purchasing an additional 14 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.70% of the company's stock.

W.W. Grainger Price Performance

Shares of NYSE GWW traded down $0.81 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $1,193.18. The company had a trading volume of 206,274 shares, compared to its average volume of 233,896. The stock has a market capitalization of $58.11 billion, a PE ratio of 32.34, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.30 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a current ratio of 2.59, a quick ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59. W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a twelve month low of $794.00 and a twelve month high of $1,227.66. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $1,120.52 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $1,008.36.

W.W. Grainger (NYSE:GWW - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results 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 net margin of 10.80% and a return on equity of 51.78%. The firm had revenue of $4.39 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.40 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $9.43 EPS. W.W. Grainger's revenue was up 4.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that W.W. Grainger, Inc. will post 38.93 earnings per share for the current year.

W.W. Grainger Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, December 1st. Investors of record on Monday, November 11th were paid a $2.05 dividend. This represents a $8.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.69%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 8th. W.W. Grainger's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 22.23%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, VP Laurie R. Thomson sold 125 shares of the firm's 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 sale, 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 sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Donald G. Macpherson sold 27,502 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,000.82, for a total transaction of $27,524,551.64. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 111,559 shares of the company's stock, valued at $111,650,478.38. This represents a 19.78 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 50,900 shares of company stock worth $52,640,733. 9.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

GWW has been the subject of several recent research reports. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on W.W. Grainger from $990.00 to $1,215.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. UBS Group assumed coverage on W.W. Grainger in a report on Wednesday, November 13th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $1,280.00 target price for the company. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on W.W. Grainger from $1,018.00 to $1,125.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Loop Capital increased their target price on W.W. Grainger from $900.00 to $1,100.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, October 21st. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised W.W. Grainger from a "neutral" rating to an "outperform" rating and increased their price target for the company from $975.00 to $1,230.00 in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $1,109.00.

About W.W. Grainger

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.