Franklin Resources Inc. lessened its position in shares of W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW – Free Report) by 2.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 527,417 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after selling 10,930 shares during the quarter. Franklin Resources Inc.’s holdings in W.W. Grainger were worth $532,190,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Ameriflex Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of W.W. Grainger by 211.1% in the third quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 28 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 19 shares during the last quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC boosted its position in W.W. Grainger by 314.3% in the fourth quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC now owns 29 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 22 shares during the last quarter. Elyxium Wealth LLC acquired a new position in W.W. Grainger in the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. State of Wyoming increased its holdings in W.W. Grainger by 650.0% in the 2nd quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 45 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $47,000 after buying an additional 39 shares during the period. Finally, Fideuram Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking S.P.A. purchased a new position in W.W. Grainger during the 4th quarter worth approximately $57,000. 80.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
W.W. Grainger Price Performance
Shares of GWW opened at $1,304.09 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $1,193.46 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $1,105.20. The stock has a market cap of $61.57 billion, a PE ratio of 35.07, a P/E/G ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 1.04. W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a 1-year low of $906.52 and a 1-year high of $1,309.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 2.69 and a quick ratio of 1.60.
W.W. Grainger Increases Dividend
The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 1st. Investors of record on Monday, May 11th were issued a $2.49 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 11th. This represents a $9.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. This is a boost from W.W. Grainger’s previous quarterly dividend of $2.26. W.W. Grainger’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 26.79%.
Insider Buying and Selling at W.W. Grainger
In related news, VP Paige K. Robbins sold 1,457 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,232.29, for a total transaction of $1,795,446.53. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 2,232 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,750,471.28. This represents a 39.50% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, VP Laurie R. Thomson sold 313 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,231.69, for a total transaction of $385,518.97. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 399 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $491,444.31. This represents a 43.96% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 6,451 shares of company stock worth $7,380,743. 6.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
Several analysts have commented on GWW shares. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price objective on shares of W.W. Grainger from $1,052.00 to $1,125.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 21st. Barclays increased their price target on W.W. Grainger from $1,047.00 to $1,171.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 12th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of W.W. Grainger from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, May 23rd. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of W.W. Grainger from $1,190.00 to $1,300.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. Finally, Stephens increased their target price on shares of W.W. Grainger from $1,300.00 to $1,355.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, May 11th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, W.W. Grainger presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $1,212.88.
View Our Latest Stock Report on GWW
W.W. Grainger Company Profile
W.W. Grainger, Inc (NYSE: GWW) is an industrial supply distributor founded in 1927 and headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois. The company supplies maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products and services to businesses, institutions and government customers. Over its long history Grainger has developed a broad product assortment and a national distribution network that supports operations across a range of end markets, including manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, transportation and public sector organizations.
Grainger’s product portfolio spans core categories such as electrical and lighting, safety and personal protective equipment, material handling, motors and power transmission, plumbing and HVAC, fasteners and adhesives, hand and power tools, and janitorial and facility supplies.
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