**W.W. Grainger Financial Results for Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024**

Chicago, Jan. 31, 2025 – W.W. Grainger (NYSE: GWW) has reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2024. The company announced a sales increase of 5.9% in the fourth quarter of 2024, amounting to $4.2 billion. On a daily, organic constant currency basis, the rise was 4.7% compared to the same quarter in 2023. For the full year, sales reached $17.2 billion, showing a 4.2% increase or a 4.7% daily, organic constant currency basis growth year-over-year.

The operating margin for the fourth quarter stood at 15.0%, an increase of 110 basis points from the previous year. Adjusted operating earnings were up 8.6% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. Diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter reached $9.71, marking a 23.1% increase on a reported basis and a 16.6% increase on an adjusted basis from the prior year quarter.

Full-year results showed a reported operating margin of 15.4%, with 2024 operating earnings increasing by 2.8% over the previous year. Adjusted operating margin was 15.5%, a slight decrease of 20 basis points from 2023 as stable gross margin was somewhat offset by demand generation investment.

W.W. Grainger’s Chairman and CEO, D.G. Macpherson, stated, “Our team delivered strong performance throughout 2024 amidst a stable demand environment. By deepening customer relationships and advancing our capabilities, we achieved growth while delivering value to shareholders.”

Regarding the 2025 guidance, W.W. Grainger provides an outlook estimating sales growth in the range of 4.0% to 6.5% on a daily, constant currency basis. The effective tax rate for the full year was 23.0%.

Throughout the fourth quarter, the company generated $428 million in cash flow from operating activities. Total operating cash flow for the year amounted to $2.1 billion, resulting in a free cash flow of $1.6 billion after investments in capital expenditure.

For more details, the company will host a live webcast on January 31, 2025, to discuss these financial results further. Further information can be found on the W.W. Grainger website.

This article was generated by an automated content engine and was reviewed by a human editor prior to publication. For additional information, read W.W. Grainger’s 8K filing here.

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.