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Jun 30, 2021

Grainger Q2 2021 Earnings Report

Reported strong revenue growth, performance aligned with expectations, gross profit affected by inventory adjustments due to easing mask mandates.

Key Takeaways

Grainger reported a strong second quarter with sales of $3.2 billion, up 13.1% compared to the second quarter of 2020. Both High-Touch Solutions N.A. and Endless Assortment segments showed robust top-line growth. However, gross profit was impacted by inventory adjustments related to pandemic products.

Sales reached $3.2 billion, a 13.1% increase compared to Q2 2020, and a 15.0% increase on an organic, daily, constant currency basis.

Generated $269 million in operating cash flow and returned $203 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.

Experienced a 75 basis point decline in gross margin due to pandemic-related inventory adjustments.

Reported earnings per share increased 103% versus the second quarter of 2020.

Total Revenue
$3.21B
Previous year: $2.84B
+13.0%
EPS
$4.27
Previous year: $3.75
+13.9%
Operating Margin
10.4%
Tax Rate
23.6%
Gross Profit
$1.12B
Previous year: $1.02B
+10.6%
Cash and Equivalents
$547M
Previous year: $1.6B
-65.9%
Free Cash Flow
$269M
Previous year: $189M
+42.3%
Total Assets
$6.46B
Previous year: $7.19B
-10.2%

Grainger

Grainger

Forward Guidance

The Company is maintaining guidance ranges provided in the previous quarter. Strong sales are expected to continue while gross profit margin, operating margin and EPS will likely face pressure from the incremental inventory adjustments and macroeconomic factors. Outside of revenue, Company results are expected to trend towards the low end of the guided ranges.

Positive Outlook

  • Net Sales $12.7 - 13.0 billion
  • Daily growth 8.5 - 11.0%
  • Organic, daily growth 10.0 - 12.5%
  • Gross Profit Margin 36.1 - 36.6%
  • Operating Margin 11.8 - 12.4%

Challenges Ahead

  • Earnings per Share (EPS) $19.00 - 20.50
  • Tax Rate 25.0 - 26.0%
  • gross profit margin will likely face pressure from the incremental inventory adjustments
  • operating margin will likely face pressure from the incremental inventory adjustments
  • EPS will likely face pressure from the incremental inventory adjustments