W.W. Grainger, Inc. stock research
FY2023 Q4
W.W. Grainger (GWW) Gross Margin — Quarter Ended Dec 31, 2023
Revenue decreased from the prior quarter but increased from the same quarter last year. Gross profit and cost of revenue followed similar patterns, but gross margin was slightly lower than both prior periods, reflecting a change in the relationship between revenue and cost of revenue.
Gross margin takeaway
Quarter ended Dec 31, 2023 · FY2023 Q4
Revenue decreased from the prior quarter but increased from the same quarter last year. Gross profit and cost of revenue followed similar patterns, but gross margin was slightly lower than both prior periods, reflecting a change in the relationship between revenue and cost of revenue.
- The gross margin weakened as cost of revenue decreased less proportionally than revenue from the prior quarter, and increased more than revenue from the year-ago quarter.
- Compared to the prior quarter, revenue, gross profit, and cost of revenue were all lower, while gross margin edged down. Versus the same quarter last year, revenue, gross profit, and cost of revenue were all higher, but gross margin was slightly lower.
Gross margin snapshot
The selected quarter's reported revenue, gross profit, direct costs, and margin comparisons.
Gross margin
39.1%
Gross profit
$1.6B
Revenue
$4.0B
Cost of revenue
$2.4B
Quarter-over-quarter change
-0.2 pts
Year-over-year change
-0.5 pts
Quarterly gross margin trend
A four-quarter view of the revenue and direct-cost bridge behind gross margin.
| Period | Revenue | Gross profit | Cost of revenue | Gross margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 31, 2023 | $4.1B | $1.6B | $2.5B | 39.9% |
| Jun 30, 2023 | $4.2B | $1.6B | $2.5B | 39.3% |
| Sep 30, 2023 | $4.2B | $1.7B | $2.6B | 39.3% |
| Dec 31, 2023 | $4.0B | $1.6B | $2.4B | 39.1% |
Quarterly comparisons
Compare the selected margin with the preceding quarter and the same fiscal quarter one year earlier.
Previous-quarter change
Sep 30, 2023
-0.2 pts
Year-over-year change
Dec 31, 2022
-0.5 pts
What the margin says
Filing-constrained interpretation of margin direction, comparisons, and what to monitor next.
The gross margin weakened as cost of revenue decreased less proportionally than revenue from the prior quarter, and increased more than revenue from the year-ago quarter.
Compared to the prior quarter, revenue, gross profit, and cost of revenue were all lower, while gross margin edged down. Versus the same quarter last year, revenue, gross profit, and cost of revenue were all higher, but gross margin was slightly lower.
Monitor the trajectory of gross margin as the company continues to invest in its business, as noted in the filing, which may influence future cost of revenue and revenue growth.