W.W. Grainger Management
Management criteria checks 4/4
W.W. Grainger's CEO is DG Macpherson, appointed in Oct 2016, has a tenure of 9.58 years. total yearly compensation is $11.61M, comprised of 10.1% salary and 89.9% bonuses, including company stock and options. directly owns 0.22% of the company’s shares, worth $117.07M. The average tenure of the management team and the board of directors is 5.3 years and 7.5 years respectively.
Key information
DG Macpherson
Chief executive officer
US$11.6m
Total compensation
| CEO salary percentage | 10.13% |
| CEO tenure | 9.6yrs |
| CEO ownership | 0.2% |
| Management average tenure | 5.3yrs |
| Board average tenure | 7.5yrs |
Recent management updates
Recent updates
GWW: Short Cycle Industrial Recovery Will Support Higher Future Upside
Analysts have raised the price target on W.W. Grainger to $1,342 from $1,270.55, citing refreshed estimates related to short cycle industrial recovery and updated quarterly forecasts. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research highlights a cluster of upward price target revisions on W.W. Grainger, tied to refreshed quarterly estimates and expectations around a short cycle industrial recovery.W.W. Grainger Proved Me Wrong. I Wish I Bought It Sooner
Apr 11
GWW: Short Cycle Recovery Will Heighten Risk Of Multiple Compression
Analysts have lifted the W.W. Grainger price target from $874.03 to $930.00, reflecting updated views on revenue growth, profit margin and future P/E assumptions following a series of upward target revisions from major research firms. Analyst Commentary Recent research updates on W.W. Grainger highlight a mix of optimism on the business and caution on valuation and execution.
GWW: Future Returns Will Reflect Industrial Recovery Hopes Against Execution And Legal Risks
The analyst price target for W.W. Grainger edges higher by about $6 to roughly $1,150 as analysts factor in a slightly higher assumed future P/E and discount rate, while keeping revenue growth and profit margin expectations broadly steady, reflecting recent target increases across the Street. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on W.W. Grainger points to a cluster of price target increases, with analysts adjusting their models around updated quarterly results, refreshed forecasts and views on the industrial recovery cycle.GWW: Future Returns Will Reflect Raised Q4 Assumptions Against Execution And Legal Risks
Analysts have nudged their fair value estimate for W.W. Grainger higher to $1,143.88 from $1,131.31, reflecting updated Q4 inputs, refreshed forecasts and a slightly lower discount rate, alongside modest tweaks to revenue growth, profit margin and future P/E assumptions in line with recent price target increases across the Street. Analyst Commentary Street research on W.W. Grainger in recent weeks has centered on refreshed Q4 assumptions and updated valuation work, with several firms adjusting their price targets and at least one upgrade in rating.GWW: Future Returns Will Balance P E Assumptions With Execution And Legal Risks
W.W. Grainger's updated analyst price target edges higher to approximately $1,131, with analysts pointing to modest tweaks in revenue growth, profit margin, and assumed future P/E as key supports for the new figure. Analyst Commentary The latest round of Street research on W.W. Grainger centers on a series of higher price targets, including adjustments of $50, $69, $75, $152, and $55, alongside a recent upgrade.GWW: Future Returns Will Reflect Refreshed P E Assumptions And Execution Risks
Analysts have lifted their price expectations for W.W. Grainger, reflected in an updated fair value estimate of US$1,131 per share, up from about US$1,053, citing Street research that points to adjusted assumptions for revenue growth, profit margins and future P/E multiples. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on W.W. Grainger has centered on higher price targets and an upgrade, with several firms revisiting their assumptions around revenue growth, margin durability and acceptable P/E levels.GWW: Q3 Execution And LIFO Headwinds Will Support Higher Future Upside
Analysts nudged their fair value estimate for W.W. Grainger higher from about $1,250 to roughly $1,271. This reflects updated assumptions around discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin and future P/E, and points to recent Street research that cited a modest Q3 operating beat, better than feared price and cost dynamics, LIFO headwinds into early 2026, and a limited revenue impact from the federal government shutdown.GWW: Future Returns Will Reflect Pricing Discipline And Lingering Cost Headwinds
Analysts have inched their average price target on W.W. Grainger up by about $44 to roughly $1,050, citing a modest Q3 operating beat, better than expected price and cost trends, and clarity around a roughly 1% revenue impact from the federal government shutdown. Analyst Commentary Analysts are focusing on how W.W. Grainger is handling pricing, costs, and temporary headwinds like the federal government shutdown when thinking about valuation and execution quality.GWW: Future Returns Will Balance MRO Leadership With Mixed End Market Headwinds
Analysts have nudged their average price target for W.W. Grainger modestly higher to approximately $1,050, reflecting improving confidence in the company’s ability to manage price and cost headwinds and sustain its leadership in the U.S. MRO market despite a less favorable end market mix. Analyst Commentary Recent research updates underscore a mixed, but generally constructive, view on W.W. Grainger, with price targets and ratings reflecting differing expectations for the pace of earnings growth and the quality of the company’s end market exposure.GWW: Future Returns Will Reflect Strong Execution Amid Mixed MRO Demand Risks
The analyst price target for W.W. Grainger has been nudged slightly lower by about $1 to roughly $1,053.50, as analysts balance recent target hikes tied to resilient pricing and margins against more cautious views on the MRO end market and limited earnings recovery potential. Analyst Commentary Bullish analysts highlight that W.W. Grainger continues to execute well operationally despite a mixed macro backdrop, supporting premium valuation levels relative to the broader MRO space.GWW: Strong Operational Execution Will Support Margins Amid Inflationary Pressures
W.W. Grainger's analyst price target saw a marginal reduction, slipping by $0.83 to $1,054.60. Analysts cited slowing revenue growth and lingering inflationary headwinds in the company's key end-markets.GWW: Market Share Gains Will Offset Risks From Slower End Market Exposure
Analysts have slightly raised their price target for W.W. Grainger from $1,041.77 to $1,055.43. They cite robust profit margins but emphasize the company's limited earnings recovery potential because of its exposure to slower-growing end-markets.Calculating The Fair Value Of W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW)
Sep 25
W.W. Grainger (NYSE:GWW) Has A Pretty Healthy Balance Sheet
Sep 14US Infrastructure Upgrades And Digital Commerce Will Ensure Lasting Success
With consensus estimates for both revenue growth (6.7% per annum) and the discount rate (8.00%) unchanged, analysts have maintained their fair value for W.W. Grainger at $1049 per share. What's in the News Revised 2025 earnings guidance: net sales expected at $17.9–$18.2 billion (up from prior $17.6–$18.1 billion), sales growth at 4.4%–5.9% (vs.Is Now The Time To Put W.W. Grainger (NYSE:GWW) On Your Watchlist?
Aug 04
W.W. Grainger (NYSE:GWW) Could Become A Multi-Bagger
Jun 21A Look At The Intrinsic Value Of W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW)
Jun 10Subdued Growth No Barrier To W.W. Grainger, Inc.'s (NYSE:GWW) Price
May 30Should You Investigate W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW) At US$1,102?
May 18W.W. Grainger: Resilient, But Approach With Caution
Mar 27W.W. Grainger: Stability Is The Key
Jan 13Like A Certain Battery-Powered Bunny, W.W. Grainger Keeps Going... And Going
Aug 28W.W. Grainger Stock: Plenty Of Reasons To Stay Cautious
Jun 20CEO Compensation Analysis
| Date | Total Compensation | Salary | Company Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 31 2025 | US$12m | US$1m | US$2b |
| Sep 30 2025 | n/a | n/a | US$2b |
| Jun 30 2025 | n/a | n/a | US$2b |
| Mar 31 2025 | n/a | n/a | US$2b |
| Dec 31 2024 | US$11m | US$1m | US$2b |
| Sep 30 2024 | n/a | n/a | US$2b |
| Jun 30 2024 | n/a | n/a | US$2b |
| Mar 31 2024 | n/a | n/a | US$2b |
| Dec 31 2023 | US$10m | US$1m | US$2b |
| Sep 30 2023 | n/a | n/a | US$2b |
| Jun 30 2023 | n/a | n/a | US$2b |
| Mar 31 2023 | n/a | n/a | US$2b |
| Dec 31 2022 | US$10m | US$1m | US$2b |
| Sep 30 2022 | n/a | n/a | US$1b |
| Jun 30 2022 | n/a | n/a | US$1b |
| Mar 31 2022 | n/a | n/a | US$1b |
| Dec 31 2021 | US$9m | US$1m | US$1b |
| Sep 30 2021 | n/a | n/a | US$928m |
| Jun 30 2021 | n/a | n/a | US$871m |
| Mar 31 2021 | n/a | n/a | US$760m |
| Dec 31 2020 | US$7m | US$969k | US$695m |
| Sep 30 2020 | n/a | n/a | US$630m |
| Jun 30 2020 | n/a | n/a | US$623m |
| Mar 31 2020 | n/a | n/a | US$769m |
| Dec 31 2019 | US$8m | US$1m | US$849m |
Compensation vs Market: DG's total compensation ($USD11.61M) is about average for companies of similar size in the US market ($USD14.60M).
Compensation vs Earnings: DG's compensation has been consistent with company performance over the past year.
CEO
DG Macpherson (57 yo)
9.6yrs
Tenure
US$11,609,508
Compensation
Mr. Donald G. Macpherson, also known as DG, is Independent Director of DuPont de Nemours, Inc. from January 20, 2026. He serves as Vice Chairman at Commercial Club of Chicago. He served as an Independent D...
Leadership Team
| Name | Position | Tenure | Compensation | Ownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman & CEO | 9.6yrs | US$11.61m | 0.22% $ 117.1m | |
| CFO & Senior VP | 5.3yrs | US$4.19m | 0.016% $ 8.8m | |
| Senior VP & Chief Legal Officer | 3.3yrs | US$2.93m | 0.0043% $ 2.3m | |
| Senior VP & Chief Human Resources Officer | 1.1yrs | US$4.95m | no data | |
| Senior VP & President of Grainger Business Unit | 5.3yrs | US$3.72m | 0.037% $ 20.1m | |
| VP, Controller & Principal Accounting Officer | 5yrs | no data | 0.00074% $ 402.3k | |
| Senior VP & CTO | 6.1yrs | US$1.98m | 0.0031% $ 1.7m | |
| Vice President of Investor Relations | no data | no data | no data | |
| Managing Director of Endless Assortment Business | 6.3yrs | no data | no data | |
| Senior Vice President of Merchandising & Supplier Management | 6.5yrs | no data | no data | |
| Senior Vice President of Sales & Onsite Services | 6.6yrs | no data | no data | |
| Senior Vice President of Branch & DC Operations | 2.7yrs | no data | no data |
5.3yrs
Average Tenure
52yo
Average Age
Experienced Management: GWW's management team is seasoned and experienced (5.3 years average tenure).
Board Members
| Name | Position | Tenure | Compensation | Ownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman & CEO | 9.6yrs | US$11.61m | 0.22% $ 117.1m | |
| Independent Director | 27.3yrs | US$302.76k | 0.0097% $ 5.3m | |
| Independent Director | 2.4yrs | US$295.26k | 0.00014% $ 76.1k | |
| Independent Lead Director | 16.1yrs | US$360.26k | 0.00064% $ 347.9k | |
| Independent Director | 11.8yrs | US$302.76k | 0.00085% $ 462.1k | |
| Independent Director | 2.8yrs | US$325.26k | no data | |
| Independent Director | 8.8yrs | US$320.26k | no data | |
| Independent Director | 5.6yrs | US$295.26k | no data | |
| Independent Director | 8.8yrs | US$302.76k | 0.00033% $ 179.4k | |
| Independent Director | 5.1yrs | US$302.76k | no data | |
| Independent Director | 6.1yrs | US$295.26k | 8.08% $ 4.4b | |
| Independent Director | 2.1yrs | US$295.26k | no data |
7.5yrs
Average Tenure
61.5yo
Average Age
Experienced Board: GWW's board of directors are considered experienced (7.5 years average tenure).
Company Analysis and Financial Data Status
| Data | Last Updated (UTC time) |
|---|---|
| Company Analysis | 2026/05/04 03:40 |
| End of Day Share Price | 2026/05/01 00:00 |
| Earnings | 2025/12/31 |
| Annual Earnings | 2025/12/31 |
Data Sources
The data used in our company analysis is from S&P Global Market Intelligence LLC. The following data is used in our analysis model to generate this report. Data is normalised which can introduce a delay from the source being available.
| Package | Data | Timeframe | Example US Source * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Financials | 10 years |
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| Analyst Consensus Estimates | +3 years |
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| Market Prices | 30 years |
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| Ownership | 10 years |
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| Management | 10 years |
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| Key Developments | 10 years |
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* Example for US securities, for non-US equivalent regulatory forms and sources are used.
Unless specified all financial data is based on a yearly period but updated quarterly. This is known as Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) or Last Twelve Month (LTM) Data. Learn more.
Analysis Model and Snowflake
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Industry and Sector Metrics
Our industry and section metrics are calculated every 6 hours by Simply Wall St, details of our process are available on Github.
Analyst Sources
W.W. Grainger, Inc. is covered by 38 analysts. 18 of those analysts submitted the estimates of revenue or earnings used as inputs to our report. Analysts submissions are updated throughout the day.
| Analyst | Institution |
|---|---|
| David Manthey | Baird |
| Scott Davis | Barclays |
| Guy Hardwick | Barclays |