Core Insights - W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) is set to report its third-quarter 2025 results on October 31, with sales estimated at $4.64 billion, reflecting a 5.8% year-over-year growth, and earnings per share (EPS) projected at $9.93, indicating a 0.6% increase from the previous year [1][5] Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GWW's sales is $4.64 billion, which represents a 5.8% growth compared to the same quarter last year [1] - The earnings estimate for GWW is $9.93 per share, although this has decreased by 2.2% over the past 60 days [1][6] - Historical earnings surprise shows GWW has beaten estimates in one of the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 0.6% [2][3] Segment Performance - GWW's High-Touch Solutions North America segment is expected to show strong growth, benefiting from commercial, transportation, and heavy manufacturing sectors, with projected sales of $3.63 billion, indicating a 3.2% increase from the previous year [8][9] - The Endless Assortment segment is anticipated to grow significantly, with a projected sales increase of 15.4% year-over-year, reaching $913 million, driven by customer acquisition and repeat business [10] Cost Considerations - GWW has been facing elevated material and freight costs, along with increased operating expenses and higher selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) costs due to technology investments, which may negatively impact profit margins [11] Stock Performance - Over the past year, GWW's stock has declined by 11.6%, contrasting with a 3.1% decline in the industry [12]