GW
GWW
Sep 30, 2024
Quarter ended Sep 30, 2024 · FY2024 Q3

W.W. Grainger, Inc. stock research

W.W. Grainger (GWW) Free Cash Flow — Quarter Ended Sep 30, 2024

Revenue, operating cash flow, and free cash flow all improved compared to both the prior quarter and the same quarter last year. The free cash flow margin strengthened sequentially and year-over-year.

Free cash flow takeaway

A quick read on the company's cash generation and what it means for investors.

Revenue, operating cash flow, and free cash flow all improved compared to both the prior quarter and the same quarter last year. The free cash flow margin strengthened sequentially and year-over-year.

  • Operating cash flow rose more than revenue, while capital expenditure was lower than a year ago, resulting in higher free cash flow and an improved free cash flow margin. The conversion from revenue to free cash flow strengthened.
  • Compared to the prior quarter, operating cash flow and free cash flow were higher, and the free cash flow margin improved. Versus the same quarter last year, all metrics were higher except capital expenditure, which was lower.

FCF snapshot

Quarterly and TTM cash-flow metrics with the minimum valuation context.

TTM free cash flow

$1.9B

Trailing twelve-month free cash flow.

Quarter free cash flow

$523.0M

Free cash flow in the selected fiscal quarter.

Operating cash flow

$611.0M

Cash generated by operations before capital spending.

CapEx

$88.0M

Capital spending and related asset purchases.

FCF margin

11.9%

The share of revenue converted into free cash flow.

Cash flow trend

A short quarterly history shows whether FCF is scaling with revenue or only spiking for one period.

PeriodRevenueOperating CFCapExFCFFCF margin
2023-12-31$4.0B$604.0M$127.0M$477.0M11.9%
2024-03-31$4.2B$661.0M$119.0M$542.0M12.8%
2024-06-30$4.3B$411.0M$76.0M$335.0M7.8%
2024-09-30$4.4B$611.0M$88.0M$523.0M11.9%

Cash conversion quality

Checks that separate high-quality free cash flow from accounting noise or working-capital timing.

FCF / net income107.6%Shows whether accounting earnings convert into cash.
CapEx / revenue2.0%Lower capital intensity usually supports FCF margin.
Net cash-$831.0MCash and equivalents minus total debt.

Recent events shaping cash flow

Near-term business events that help explain the free cash flow result.

Supportive

Operating Cash Flow Strength

Operating cash flow increased more than revenue both sequentially and year-over-year, driving the improvement in free cash flow and margin.

Higher operating cash flow was the primary factor behind the improved free cash flow generation.

What the cash flow says

How to interpret the company's free cash flow beyond the headline number.

Operating cash flow rose more than revenue, while capital expenditure was lower than a year ago, resulting in higher free cash flow and an improved free cash flow margin. The conversion from revenue to free cash flow strengthened.

Compared to the prior quarter, operating cash flow and free cash flow were higher, and the free cash flow margin improved. Versus the same quarter last year, all metrics were higher except capital expenditure, which was lower.

Monitor whether capital expenditure remains at a lower level relative to revenue in future quarters.