Fourth Quarter 2025 Highlights
Delivered sales of $4.4 billion, up 4.5%, or 4.6% on a daily, organic constant currency basis
Achieved operating margin of 14.3%, down 70 basis points
Generated diluted EPS of $9.44, down 2.8%
Full Year 2025 Highlights
Grew sales to $17.9 billion, up 4.5%, or 4.9% on a daily, organic constant currency basis
Realized operating margin of 13.9% on a reported basis, down 150 basis points, or 15.0% on an adjusted basis, down 50 basis points
Generated diluted EPS of $35.40 on a reported basis, down 8.6%, or $39.48 on an adjusted basis, up 1.3%
Produced $2.0 billion in operating cash flow and returned $1.5 billion to Grainger shareholders through dividends and share repurchases
CHICAGO, Feb. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Grainger (NYSE: GWW) today reported results for the fourth quarter and full year 2025. Sales of $4.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025 increased 4.5%, or 4.6% on a daily, organic constant currency basis versus the fourth quarter of 2024. For the full year, sales of $17.9 billion increased 4.5%, or 4.9% on a daily, organic constant currency basis compared to the prior year.
"In 2025, we executed well, delivering exceptional service and a best-in-class experience for our customers across both our High-Touch Solutions and Endless Assortment segments," said D.G. Macpherson, Chairman and CEO. "Despite a challenging macro environment, we drove profitable share gain, made strong progress with our strategic initiatives, and operated with resiliency. I'm very proud of the Grainger team and believe we are poised to drive strong performance moving forward."
2025 Financial Summary
($ in millions, except per share amount)
Q4 2025
Q4 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
Change vs. Prior(Fav. vs. (Unfav.))
Change vs. Prior(Fav. vs. (Unfav.))
Reported
Adjusted
Reported
Adjusted
Reported
Adjusted(1)
Reported
Adjusted(1,2,3)
Net Sales
$4,425
$4,425
4.5 %
4.5 %
$17,942
$17,942
4.5 %
4.5 %
Gross Profit
$1,746
$1,746
4.2 %
4.2 %
$7,009
$7,009
3.7 %
3.7 %
Operating Earnings
$634
$634
0.2 %
0.2 %
$2,495
$2,691
(5.4) %
1.4 %
Net Earnings Attributable to W.W. Grainger, Inc.
$451
$451
(5.1 %)
(5.1 %)
$1,706
$1,902
(10.6) %
(1.0) %
Diluted Earnings Per Share
$9.44
$9.44
(2.8 %)
(2.8 %)
$35.40
$39.48
(8.6) %
1.3 %
Gross Profit Margin
39.5 %
39.5 %
(10) bps
(10) bps
39.1 %
39.1 %
(30) bps
(30) bps
Operating Margin
14.3 %
14.3 %
(70) bps
(70) bps
13.9 %
15.0 %
(150) bps
(50) bps
Effective Tax Rate
22.8 %
22.8 %
(270) bps
(270) bps
25.6 %
23.7 %
(260) bps
(70) bps
(1)
Reflects the loss from the Company's exit of the U.K. market, including the sale of the Cromwell business and closure of Zoro U.K. announced in the third quarter of 2025 and completed in the fourth quarter of 2025.
(2)
Reflects restructuring costs incurred in the second quarter of 2024.
(3)
See the supplemental information of this release for further information regarding the Company's non-GAAP financial measures including reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.
RevenueFor the fourth quarter of 2025, total Company sales were up 4.5%, or up 4.6% on a daily, organic constant currency basis compared to the fourth quarter of 2024.
In the High-Touch Solutions - N.A. segment, sales were up 2.2%, or 2.1% on a daily, constant currency basis versus the fourth quarter of 2024 driven by continued growth in the U.S. and Canada, including increases across most customer end markets. In the Endless Assortment segment, sales were up 14.3%, or 15.7% on a daily, organic constant currency basis versus the prior year quarter. Growth for the segment was driven by strong performance at both MonotaRO and Zoro.
For the full year 2025, total Company sales increased 4.5% versus the full year of 2024. Daily sales on an organic, constant currency basis increased 4.9% versus the prior year driven by growth in both segments.
Gross Profit MarginFor the fourth quarter of 2025, total Company gross profit margin was 39.5%, a decrease of 10 basis points compared to the fourth quarter of 2024 due primarily to segment mix headwinds.
In the High-Touch Solutions - N.A. segment, gross margin was flat compared to the prior year quarter as various factors offset. In the Endless Assortment segment, gross margin increased by 70 basis points versus the fourth quarter of 2024 due to improvement across the segment.
For the full year 2025, total Company gross profit margin was 39.1%, down 30 basis points versus the prior year. The decrease in gross profit margin was primarily driven by tariff-related inflation which caused unfavorable price / cost timing and last-in, first-out (LIFO) inventory valuation headwinds in the High-Touch Solutions - N.A. segment.
EarningsFor the fourth quarter of 2025, operating earnings for the total Company were $634 million, up 0.2% over the fourth quarter of 2024, as sales growth was largely offset by lower margin. Operating margin was 14.3%, a 70 basis point decrease compared to the prior year quarter. This decrease in operating margin was primarily due to increased expense, including unforeseen healthcare costs, and slower sales growth in the High-Touch Solutions - N.A. segment.
Diluted EPS for the fourth quarter of 2025 was $9.44, down 2.8% versus the prior year quarter. The decrease was primarily due to an unfavorable tax rate compared to the prior year quarter which was only partially offset by fewer shares outstanding.
For the full year 2025, reported operating earnings for the total Company of $2.5 billion were down 5.4% versus the prior year, as sales growth was offset by lower margin including the loss recorded in the third quarter of 2025 related to the Company's exit from the U.K. market. Reported operating margin was 13.9%, a decrease of 150 basis points over prior year. Diluted EPS for the full year 2025 was $35.40 on a reported basis, down 8.6% versus 2024, as fewer shares outstanding were more than offset by an unfavorable tax rate compared to the prior year.
On an adjusted basis, which excludes the loss related to the Company's exit from the U.K. market in the third quarter of 2025 and restructuring costs incurred in the second quarter of 2024, full year 2025 operating earnings were up 1.4%, or $2.7 billion, as sales growth was largely offset by lower margin. Adjusted operating margin of 15.0% decreased 50 basis points compared to 2024 due primarily to lower gross margin, higher operating expenses, and slower sales growth in the High-Touch Solutions - N.A. segment. Adjusted diluted EPS was $39.48, up 1.3% versus the prior year, as fewer shares outstanding were offset by an unfavorable tax rate compared to the prior year.
Tax RateFor the fourth quarter of 2025, the effective tax rate was 22.8% compared to 20.1% in the fourth quarter of 2024. The variance was driven primarily by the release of a tax reserve following the expiration of a statute of limitation period that occurred in the prior year quarter.
For the full year 2025, the reported effective tax rate was 25.6% versus 23.0% in 2024, with the increase primarily due to the loss from the Company's exit of the U.K. market, for which there was no corresponding tax benefit. On an adjusted basis, the full year effective tax rate was 23.7% versus 23.0% in 2024, with the increase driven primarily by the release of a tax reserve following the expiration of a statute of limitation period that occurred in the prior year.
Cash FlowDuring the fourth quarter of 2025, the Company generated $395 million of cash flow from operating activities as net earnings were partially offset by unfavorable working capital. The Company invested $126 million in capital expenditures, resulting in free cash flow of $269 million. During the quarter, the Company returned $355 million to Grainger shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.
For the full year 2025, the Company generated $2.0 billion of cash flow from operating activities. The Company invested $684 million in capital expenditures, resulting in free cash flow of $1.3 billion in 2025. During the year, the Company returned $1.5 billion to Grainger shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.
2026 Company GuidanceThe Company is providing the following outlook for 2026:
Total Company(1)
2026 Guidance Range
Net Sales
$18.7 - $19.1 billion
Sales growth
4.2% - 6.7%
Daily, organic constant currency sales growth
6.5% - 9.0%
Gross Profit Margin
39.2% - 39.5%
Operating Margin
15.4% - 15.9%
Diluted Earnings per Share
$42.25 - $44.75
Operating Cash Flow
$2.125 - $2.325 billion
CapEx (cash basis)
$0.55 - $0.65 billion
Share Buyback
$0.95 - $1.05 billion
Effective Tax Rate
~25.0%
Segment Operating Margin
High-Touch Solutions - N.A.
16.9% - 17.4%
Endless Assortment
10.0% - 10.5%
(1)
Guidance provided is on an adjusted basis. Daily, organic constant currency sales growth is adjusted for the impact of certain divested or closed businesses in the comparable prior year period post date of divestiture or closure and changes in foreign currency exchange. The Company does not reconcile forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures. For further details see the supplemental information of this release.
WebcastThe Company will conduct a live conference call and webcast at 11:00 a.m. ET on February 3, 2026, to discuss the fourth quarter and full-year results. The event will be hosted by D.G. Macpherson, Chairman and CEO, and Deidra Merriwether, Senior Vice President and CFO, and can be accessed at invest.grainger.com. To access the conference call via phone, please send a request to [email protected]. For those unable to participate in the live event, a webcast replay will be available for 90 days at invest.grainger.com.
About GraingerW.W. Grainger, Inc., is a leading broad line distributor with operations primarily in North America and Japan. At Grainger, We Keep the World Working® by serving more than 4.6 million customers worldwide with maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products and value-added solutions delivered through innovative technology and deep customer expertise. Known for its commitment to service and purpose-driven culture, the Company reported 2025 revenue of $17.9 billion. For more information, visit www.grainger.com.
Visit invest.grainger.com to view information about the Company, including a supplement regarding 2025 fourth quarter results and additional Company information.
Safe Harbor StatementAll statements in this communication, other than those relating to historical facts, are "forward-looking statements" under the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by their use of terms such as "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "expect," "could," "forecast," "may," "intend," "plan," "predict," "project," "will," or "would," and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions. Grainger cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will be realized and achievement of future results is subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Grainger's control, which could cause Grainger's results to differ materially from those that are presented. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future strategic plans and future financial and operating results. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those presented or implied in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation: inflation, higher product costs or other expenses, including operational and administrative expenses; a major loss of customers; loss or disruption of sources of supply; changes in customer or product mix; increased competitive pricing pressures; changes in third-party practices regarding digital advertising; failure to enter into or sustain contractual arrangements on a satisfactory basis with group purchasing organizations; failure to develop, manage or implement new technology initiatives or business strategies including with respect to Grainger's eCommerce platforms and artificial intelligence; failure to adequately protect intellectual property or successfully defend against infringement claims; fluctuations or declines in Grainger's gross profit margin; Grainger's responses to market pressures; the outcome of pending and future litigation or governmental or regulatory proceedings, including with respect to wage and hour, anti-bribery and corruption, environmental, regulations related to advertising, marketing and the internet, consumer protection, pricing (including disaster or emergency declaration pricing statutes), product liability, compliance or safety, trade and export compliance, general commercial disputes, or privacy and cybersecurity matters; investigations, inquiries, audits and changes in laws and regulations; failure to comply with laws, regulations and standards, including new or stricter environmental laws or regulations; government contract matters, including new or revised provisions relating to contract compliance or performance; the impact of any government shutdown; disruption or breaches of information technology or data security systems involving Grainger or third parties on which Grainger depends; general industry, economic, market or political conditions; general global economic conditions, including existing, new, or increased tariffs, trade issues and changes in trade policies, inflation, and interest rates; currency exchange rate fluctuations; market volatility, including price and trading volume volatility or price declines of Grainger's common stock; an incident that adversely impacts Grainger's reputation or brand; commodity price volatility; facilities disruptions or shutdowns; higher fuel costs or disruptions in transportation services; effects of outbreaks of pandemic disease or viral contagions, global conflicts, natural or human induced disasters, extreme weather, and other catastrophes or conditions; effects of climate change; failure to execute on our corporate responsibility efforts; competition for, or failure to attract, retain, train, motivate and develop executives and key team members; loss of key members of management or key team members; loss of operational flexibility and potential for work stoppages or slowdowns if team members unionize or join a collective bargaining arrangement; changes in effective tax rates; changes in credit ratings or outlook; Grainger's incurrence of indebtedness or failure to comply with restrictions and obligations under its debt agreements and instruments and other factors that can be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent periodic reports filed on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, which are available on our Investor Relations website. Forward-looking statements are given only as of the date of this communication and we disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
W.W. Grainger, Inc. and SubsidiariesCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS(In millions of dollars, except for per share amounts)(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended December 31,
Twelve Months EndedDecember 31,
2025
2024
2025
2024
Net sales
$ 4,425
$ 4,233
$ 17,942
$ ...
