Grainger-GRAINGER REPORTS RESULTS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024

Core Insights - Grainger reported a 5.9% increase in sales for Q4 2024, reaching $4.2 billion, and a 4.2% increase for the full year 2024, totaling$ 17.2 billion [1][5][6] - The company issued guidance for 2025, projecting net sales between $17.6 billion and$ 18.1 billion, with a sales growth rate of 2.7% to 5.2% [19][20] Financial Performance - Q4 2024 gross profit was $1.676 billion, reflecting a 7.2% increase year-over-year, with a gross profit margin of 39.6% [3][9] - Operating earnings for Q4 2024 were reported at$ 633 million, a 13.6% increase compared to Q4 2023, resulting in an operating margin of 15.0% [11][13] - Diluted earnings per share (EPS) for Q4 2024 increased to $9.71, up 23.1% from the previous year [12][14] Segment Performance - In the High-Touch Solutions N.A. segment, sales grew by 4.0%, while the Endless Assortment segment saw a significant increase of 15.1% [7][8] - For the full year 2024, both segments contributed to an overall sales increase of 4.2% [8] Cash Flow and Shareholder Returns - The company generated$ 2.1 billion in operating cash flow for the full year 2024, with free cash flow of $1.6 billion [18] - Grainger returned$ 1.6 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases during 2024 [18] 2025 Guidance - The company anticipates a gross profit margin of 39.1% to 39.4% and an operating margin of 15.1% to 15.5% for 2025 [20] - Projected diluted EPS for 2025 is expected to be between $39.00 and$ 41.50 [20]