W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW) Stock Holdings Lifted by Kinsale Capital Group Inc.

Kinsale Capital Group Inc. lifted its position in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW) by 10.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 6,015 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after acquiring an additional 571 shares during the period. W.W. Grainger comprises approximately 1.7% of Kinsale Capital Group Inc.’s holdings, making the stock its 23rd largest position. Kinsale Capital Group Inc.’s holdings in W.W. Grainger were worth $6,340,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of W.W. Grainger by 8.1% in the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 586 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $621,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Bridges Investment Management Inc. grew its position in W.W. Grainger by 39.3% during the fourth quarter. Bridges Investment Management Inc. now owns 450 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $474,000 after purchasing an additional 127 shares in the last quarter. SVB Wealth LLC purchased a new position in W.W. Grainger during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $453,000. Private Trust Co. NA grew its position in W.W. Grainger by 9.9% during the fourth quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 200 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $211,000 after purchasing an additional 18 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fielder Capital Group LLC grew its position in W.W. Grainger by 1.6% during the fourth quarter. Fielder Capital Group LLC now owns 1,110 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $1,170,000 after purchasing an additional 18 shares in the last quarter. 80.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

W.W. Grainger Stock Performance

GWW stock opened at $1,021.00 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.49, a current ratio of 2.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. The company has a market capitalization of $49.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.38, a P/E/G ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 1.17. W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a 12 month low of $874.98 and a 12 month high of $1,227.66. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $1,063.16 and a two-hundred day moving average of $1,074.76.

W.W. Grainger (NYSE:GWW) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 31st. The industrial products company reported $9.71 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $9.75 by ($0.04). W.W. Grainger had a return on equity of 52.43% and a net margin of 11.12%. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $8.33 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that W.W. Grainger, Inc. will post 40.3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

W.W. Grainger Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 10th were paid a $2.05 dividend. This represents a $8.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.80%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 10th. W.W. Grainger’s payout ratio is 21.18%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently commented on the stock. StockNews.com downgraded shares of W.W. Grainger from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 19th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on shares of W.W. Grainger from $1,113.00 to $1,112.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. UBS Group assumed coverage on shares of W.W. Grainger in a research report on Wednesday, November 13th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $1,280.00 price objective on the stock. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of W.W. Grainger from $990.00 to $1,215.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of W.W. Grainger from $1,125.00 to $1,100.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $1,148.56.

W.W. Grainger Company Profile

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.