At its analyst meeting, W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW - Free Report) provided an outlook for sales and earnings in 2016 and 2017. Further, it divulged plans that will improve its financial performance and strengthen returns to shareholders. Additionally, the company reported its Oct 2016 sales which remained flat with the prior-year level.
October Sales
Grainger reported flat daily sales in Oct 2016 compared to the prior year driven by a 1 percentage point increase in volume, offset by a 1 percent decline in price. The month had 21 selling days, one less than the previous year. Daily sales in the US dipped 1% due to a 1 percentage point decline in volume and a 1 percentage point decline in price, partially negated by a 1 percentage point contribution from intercompany sales to Zoro. Sales to Government and Light Manufacturing were up in the mid single digits while sales to retail was up in the low single digits. However, Commercial was down in the low single digits, Heavy Manufacturing was down in the mid single digits, Contractors was down in the high-single digits, while Resellers and Natural Resources were down in the low double digits.
In Canada, sales plunged 15% in the U.S. currency and 13% in local currency affected by a 9 percentage point decline in volume and a 4 percentage point decline in price. The price decline was primarily owing to the effect of delaying price increases until customer service stabilizes. Daily sales to all customer end markets were down.
On the contrary, sales in other businesses increased 15% driven by positive volume and price. Continued strong performance from MonotaRO in Japan and Zoro in the U.S. was primarily responsible for the growth, partially neutralized by sales declines at Cromwell and Fabory.
Fourth-quarter 2016 will have 63 selling days, one fewer than fourth-quarter 2015.
Guidance for 2016 & 2017
For fourth-quarter 2016, Grainger is projecting sales growth of -1% to 3% while earnings per share will range between $2.27 and $2.57. For 2016, the company maintained its sales growth forecast of 1.5% to 2.5% and its earnings per share guidance of $11.40 to $11.70. For 2017, sales growth is projected at 2% to 6% and earnings per share between $11.30 and $12.40.
GRAINGER W W Price
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
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At its analyst meeting, W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW - Free Report) provided an outlook for sales and earnings in 2016 and 2017. Further, it divulged plans that will improve its financial performance and strengthen returns to shareholders. Additionally, the company reported its Oct 2016 sales which remained flat with the prior-year level.
October Sales
Grainger reported flat daily sales in Oct 2016 compared to the prior year driven by a 1 percentage point increase in volume, offset by a 1 percent decline in price. The month had 21 selling days, one less than the previous year. Daily sales in the US dipped 1% due to a 1 percentage point decline in volume and a 1 percentage point decline in price, partially negated by a 1 percentage point contribution from intercompany sales to Zoro. Sales to Government and Light Manufacturing were up in the mid single digits while sales to retail was up in the low single digits. However, Commercial was down in the low single digits, Heavy Manufacturing was down in the mid single digits, Contractors was down in the high-single digits, while Resellers and Natural Resources were down in the low double digits.
In Canada, sales plunged 15% in the U.S. currency and 13% in local currency affected by a 9 percentage point decline in volume and a 4 percentage point decline in price. The price decline was primarily owing to the effect of delaying price increases until customer service stabilizes. Daily sales to all customer end markets were down.
On the contrary, sales in other businesses increased 15% driven by positive volume and price. Continued strong performance from MonotaRO in Japan and Zoro in the U.S. was primarily responsible for the growth, partially neutralized by sales declines at Cromwell and Fabory.
Fourth-quarter 2016 will have 63 selling days, one fewer than fourth-quarter 2015.
Guidance for 2016 & 2017
For fourth-quarter 2016, Grainger is projecting sales growth of -1% to 3% while earnings per share will range between $2.27 and $2.57. For 2016, the company maintained its sales growth forecast of 1.5% to 2.5% and its earnings per share guidance of $11.40 to $11.70. For 2017, sales growth is projected at 2% to 6% and earnings per share between $11.30 and $12.40.
GRAINGER W W Price
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
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