Start with its own history
At 34.39×, GWW is 41.8% above its 10-observation annual average. A lower multiple can reflect a lower price, higher earnings, or weaker growth expectations—not necessarily a bargain.
NYSE · GWWIndustrial - DistributionUpdated Nov 5, 2026
W.W. Grainger, Inc. P/E ratio
Current valuation, historical context, and peer comparisons.
Current P/E ratio
34.39×
41.8% abovethe 10-year annual average
Share price1,489.39
÷Earnings per share43.31
Price and EPS in quote currency. Calculation details
Investors are paying 34.39 for every 1 of reported earnings per share.
P/E over time
2016 – 2025
Annual P/ESelected-period average 24.25×
3-year average26.02×3 positive annual observations
5-year average24.43×5 positive annual observations
10-year average24.25×10 positive annual observations
Peer median · TTM21.78×8 peers with positive P/E
Historical P/E ratios
Annual period-end data · 25 observations
| Period end | P/E | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2025 | 28.45× | +5.4% |
| Dec 31, 2024 | 27.00× | +19.4% |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 22.61× | +23.5% |
| Dec 31, 2022 | 18.30× | -29.0% |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 25.78× | -18.0% |
| Dec 31, 2020 | 31.43× | +44.1% |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 21.81× | +7.6% |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 20.27× | -13.6% |
View all 25 annual observations +
| Period end | P/E | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2017 | 23.46× | +0.4% |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 23.37× | +34.8% |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 17.33× | -21.2% |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 21.99× | -2.6% |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 22.58× | +8.4% |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 20.84× | +3.1% |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 20.21× | +3.2% |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 19.59× | +15.3% |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 16.99× | +33.8% |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 12.70× | -26.0% |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 17.16× | +7.0% |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 16.04× | -12.7% |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 18.37× | -12.3% |
| Dec 31, 2004 | 20.95× | +10.5% |
| Dec 31, 2003 | 18.96× | -15.4% |
| Dec 31, 2002 | 22.41× | -12.7% |
| Dec 31, 2001 | 25.67× | N/M |
Change is relative to the preceding observation. N/M values are excluded from averages.
How GWW compares
Company P/E vs. peer trailing-12-month ratios
| Company | P/E ratio |
|---|---|
 GWW This stockW.W. Grainger, Inc. | 34.39× |
 MSMMSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. | 29.09× |
 FASTFastenal Company | 42.91× |
 FERGFerguson Enterprises Inc. | 23.74× |
 WCCWESCO International, Inc. | 19.51× |
 BZLFFBunzl plc | 16.02× |
 RXLSFRexel S.A. | 14.95× |
 GICGlobal Industrial Co | 19.82× |
 AITApplied Industrial Technologies, Inc. | 26.10× |
Peers are selected by the data provider. Business models and earnings definitions can differ.
Put the numbers in context
What does GWW’s P/E tell you?
Compare like with like
The median of the 8 positive peer ratios above is 21.78×. Check growth, margins, debt, and earnings quality before interpreting the gap. A faster-growing business may justify a higher multiple.
Check what drives earnings
One-off gains can temporarily lower P/E; unusual charges can raise it. Reported earnings and forward estimates answer different questions. Pair this view with return on equity and liquidity for a fuller picture.
Keep your research connected
Take GWW into your spreadsheet
Pull historical P/E into Excel or Google Sheets with Wisesheets. Build your own comparisons alongside the rest of your financial model.
Explore WisesheetsQuarterly P/E · latest quarterLQ selects the latest reported quarter. Requires the Wisesheets add-in. See available data
=WISE("GWW", "PE Ratio", "LQ")Sources & calculation methodology
Current P/E
Share price 1,489.39 ÷ EPS 43.31 = 34.39×. Data is supplied by Financial Modeling Prep through Wisesheets. Quote feed updated Nov 5, 2026; this is not a real-time trading quote.
History & averages
Annual and quarterly P/E observations are provided separately from the current quote. Averages use the latest 3, 5, or 10 annual observations, excluding missing and nonpositive ratios. Pre-IPO observations are omitted. These are period-end observations, not daily averages.
Data definitions and limitations
The current quote feed does not specify the exact EPS filing-period end or whether EPS is basic or diluted. We do not label it as forward P/E. Peer ratios are explicitly trailing-12-month (TTM) values. Historical observations do not include independently verified price and EPS inputs. Sources may update on different schedules; rounded inputs can produce small calculation differences. Historical comparisons describe past pricing, not an estimate of fair value.
GWW P/E ratio: common questions
The essentials behind the numbers.
W.W. Grainger, Inc.'s current P/E is 34.39× based on the quote data last updated Nov 5, 2026. It represents the share price divided by reported earnings per share. Prices and earnings may refresh on different schedules.
Annual P/E uses earnings for a completed fiscal year. Trailing-12-month (TTM) P/E uses the latest four quarters, while forward P/E uses forecast earnings. These are not interchangeable. This page labels peer ratios as TTM and shows dated annual or quarterly historical observations; it does not show forward estimates.
N/M means not meaningful: the feed has no positive P/E for that observation. Negative or zero earnings should not be ranked as a low positive valuation multiple. N/M observations are excluded from the averages shown above.
Divide the share price by earnings per share (EPS). For example, a share price of 100 and EPS of 5 gives a P/E of 20×. This page uses the price and EPS supplied together in the quote when both are positive.
Price timestamps, EPS definitions, share classes, adjustments, and fiscal periods can differ. A forward P/E also uses forecast earnings rather than reported earnings. Compare the inputs and as-of dates before comparing two displayed ratios.
Not necessarily. The average describes previous market pricing, not fair value. Changes in earnings quality, growth expectations, debt, accounting, and business risk can justify a different multiple today.