Graco NYSE: GGG reported record second-quarter sales and earnings for fiscal 2026, with management pointing to improving order trends, stronger backlog and growth across all three business segments as reasons for confidence in the second half of the year.
President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Sheahan said the company delivered second-quarter sales of $591 million, reflecting growth across Contractor, Industrial and Expansion Markets, along with margin expansion driven by “disciplined expense management and operational execution.” Organic orders rose 5% during the quarter, while the most recent six-week booking average was up 14% from a year earlier. Backlog as of July 17, excluding acquisitions, was up $57 million, or 28%, from the beginning of the year.
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“Together, these positive trends give us confidence in a stronger second half,” Sheahan said.
Adjusted Earnings Rise 17% Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Sanjiv Gupta said reported second-quarter sales increased 3% from the prior year to $591 million. Acquisitions contributed 3 percentage points of growth and currency translation added 1 point, partially offset by a 1% decline in organic sales. Gupta attributed the organic decline primarily to the timing of finishing systems revenue in the Industrial segment.
Reported net earnings were $145 million, or $0.87 per diluted share, up 14% from the prior-year period. Adjusted earnings per share, excluding acquisition-related costs, amortization of acquired intangible assets and certain tax items, were $0.91, up 17% year over year.
Gross margin increased 130 basis points from the year-ago quarter. Gupta said the improvement reflected price realization, better manufacturing performance and the favorable impact of $9 million in tariff refunds, net of related surcharges. Operating expenses were “essentially flat” despite inflation and the addition of acquired businesses, helping operating earnings rise 11% and lifting operating margin to 30% of sales from 26% a year earlier.
Through the first six months of the year, Graco generated $298 million in operating cash flow. The company repurchased 4.2 million shares for approximately $331 million, paid $98 million in dividends and invested $29 million in capital expenditures, including strategic facility expansion projects.
Contractor Segment Sees Broad-Based Improvement Graco’s Contractor segment posted record sales and earnings in the quarter, with revenue up 4%. Sheahan said organic sales were higher across both paint and home center markets in the Americas for the first time in nearly two years.
The improvement was supported by greater stability in core markets, including North American residential repaint and remodel activity, better channel sell-through, stronger customer engagement and targeted commercial programs. Sheahan also highlighted continued demand in protective coatings and foam, which he described as more global and application-driven parts of the business. Those areas benefited from commercial construction, infrastructure and industrial projects, including investments tied to data centers, energy and manufacturing.
New product introductions also remained a focus. Sheahan cited the next generation of QuickShot, the ProReach extension system and autonomous and semi-autonomous striping solutions as products aimed at improving productivity, reducing labor needs, minimizing material waste and delivering more consistent results.
In response to an analyst question, Sheahan said he was “hopeful that we’ve kind of seen the worst” of the macro conditions facing the Contractor business in recent years, though he added that it was still early.
Industrial Demand Improves, With Powder Timing Still a Factor Industrial segment sales increased 3% in the quarter. Sheahan said the segment benefited from better activity in process manufacturing, machinery manufacturing, general industrial applications, semiconductor-related investment and continued adoption of electrified product platforms. He also cited healthy demand in day-to-day industrial applications, including maintenance, repair and operations channels.
The segment faced anticipated headwinds from lower organic powder finishing systems sales due to the timing of order acceptance, which management expects to occur in the second half. Asia was slower to start the year, with China affected by prior-year pull-forward activity ahead of tariff-related pricing actions and softer automotive demand.
Organic orders in Industrial improved through the quarter, with bookings up 3% year to date through July 17 and up 11% over the most recent six-week period from the prior year. Sheahan said easier comparisons in powder finishing and healthy backlog support expectations for stronger performance in the back half of the year.
Asked about general industrial conditions, Sheahan said growth in the legacy Graco Industrial business was broad-based and in line with the company’s low-single-digit organic growth guide for the full year. He said any first-half organic pressure was tied mainly to powder, where comparisons should ease.
Expansion Markets Led by Semiconductor Demand Expansion Markets sales grew 3%, with growth across all key businesses. Semiconductor demand remained a major driver, particularly in Asia-Pacific, supported by ongoing investment in semiconductor manufacturing capacity.
Bookings in Expansion Markets increased 58% in the quarter and were up 33% year to date. The most recent six-week average was up 36%, and backlogs remained strong.
Sheahan said semiconductor can be a “pretty lumpy end market,” but current signs suggest the strength is sustainable in the near term. He said momentum should last through the end of the year and likely into next year, supported by investment tied to artificial intelligence and semiconductor capacity.
Valco Melton Acquisition and Outlook In May, Graco announced the acquisition of Valco Melton, which Sheahan described as one of the company’s largest acquisitions in more than a decade. He said Valco Melton adds complementary technology, products and customer relationships in the packaging dispense market.
During the question-and-answer session, Sheahan said Valco Melton has gross margins of 50% or more and that more than half of its business is parts and accessories. Chris Knutson, vice president, chief accounting officer and controller, said Valco Melton’s referenced 9% revenue compound annual growth rate was organic. Knutson also said the company has about five manufacturing locations, with the rest of its 27-location footprint consisting of sales and service offices.
Graco maintained its full-year outlook and introduced third-quarter revenue guidance of $580 million to $600 million, excluding Valco Melton, which is expected to close during the third quarter. Sheahan said the decision to provide quarterly sales guidance reflected improved visibility and was intended to be an ongoing practice rather than a one-quarter change.
Gupta said currency is expected to provide approximately a 1% favorable impact on both full-year sales and earnings at current exchange rates. The company now expects unallocated corporate expenses of $39 million to $42 million, capital expenditures of $90 million to $100 million and an adjusted effective tax rate of 20% to 21% for the full year.
On pricing, Gupta said Graco’s price-cost position remains positive and that the company plans to stick with its historical cadence of introducing price increases at the beginning of the year. He said realized pricing this year has been roughly 1.5% to 2%.
Management also reiterated its balanced capital allocation strategy. Gupta said Graco will prioritize organic growth, strategic acquisitions that meet financial and strategic thresholds, and returns to shareholders through dividends and opportunistic share repurchases.
About Graco (NYSE:GGG)Graco Inc is a leading manufacturer of fluid handling systems and components, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded in 1926, the company has built a reputation for innovation in spray finishing, lubrication, and fluid management technologies. Graco's solutions are designed to address the needs of paint and coatings applicators, general industry, and process fluids in a variety of end markets.
The company's product portfolio includes airless and air-assisted spray equipment, pumps for oil and gas applications, industrial lubrication systems, and automated dispensing equipment.
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Key Takeaways Graco beat Q2 earnings estimates as higher margins offset revenues that missed expectations.GGG saw acquisitions and currency gains offset an organic sales decline, while order backlog climbed 28%.GGG reaffirmed its 2026 outlook, expecting low-single-digit organic sales growth. Graco Inc. (GGG - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 91 cents per share, up 17% from 78 cents in the year-ago quarter. The bottom line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 81 cents by 12.4%.
The company’s net sales rose 3% year over year to $590.6 million but lagged the consensus estimate of $609 million by 3%. Organic order backlog (excluding acquisitions) rose 28% from the end of 2025.
On a regional basis, quarterly sales generated from the Americas increased 5.5% year over year to $371.4 million. Sales from the Asia Pacific increased 1.6% year over year to $91.4 million. In Europe, the Middle East and Africa, sales fell 1.6% year over year to $127.8 million.
Acquisitions Offset Organic SlideGraco’s acquired operations had a positive contribution of 3% to sales growth, while currency translation had a favorable impact of 1%. These tailwinds more than offset a 1% organic decline that management tied to softer timing of finishing system sales and certain project-related activities.
Management highlighted that incoming order rates increased as the quarter progressed, and the company exited the quarter with a solid order trend. This supported the increase in organic order backlog relative to 2025-end.
Graco Segment SalesContractor segment sales increased 4% year over year to $299.4 million, driven by strength in protective coating and spray foam product categories. While acquisitions and currency translation had a positive impact of 3% and 1%, respectively, on sales growth, organic sales were flat.
Industrial segment sales rose 3% to $249.2 million, supported by acquired businesses but were weighed down by powder finishing system completions and other projects. Acquisitions had a positive impact of 5% on sales growth. While currency translation had a favorable impact of 1% on sales, organic sales decreased 3%.
Expansion Markets sales increased 3% to $41.9 million, owing to an increase in semiconductor product application sales in the Americas. While organic sales improved 3% on a year-over-year basis, currency translation and acquisitions did not have any material impact on sales.
Margin Profile of GracoIn the second quarter, Graco’s cost of sales increased 0.5% year over year to $273.6 million. Gross profit increased 5.8% to $316.9 million, while the margin of 53.7% was up 130 basis points (bps) year over year. Margins were supported by the receipt of tariff refunds and disciplined operating expenses.
Adjusted operating income increased 11% year over year to $183.2 million. The operating margin increased 230 bps to 31% from the year-ago quarter. Interest expenses totaled $835 million compared with $655 million in the previous year’s quarter. The adjusted effective tax rate was 20.4% compared with the year-ago quarter’s 20.1%.
Graco’s Balance Sheet and Cash FlowGraco ended the quarter with $507.6 million in cash and cash equivalents, down from $624.1 million at the end of 2025. It generated net cash of $298 million from operating activities in the first six months of 2026 compared with $308.1 million in the year-ago period. Capital used for purchasing property, plant and equipment totaled $28.6 million compared with $30.2 million in the year-ago period.
Graco paid out dividends worth $97.7 million to its shareholders in the first six months of the year, up 6% from the year-ago period. It repurchased shares worth $331.1 million in the same period.
2026 OutlookGraco continues to expect organic sales to increase in the low single digits on a constant-currency basis in 2026. Sales are anticipated to grow in mid-single digits, including acquisitions. For third-quarter 2026, it expects sales to be in the range of $580-$600 million (excluding the announced acquisition of Valco Melton).
Zacks Rank and Stocks to ConsiderThe company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks from the same space are discussed below:
Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT - Free Report) carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Applied Industrial’s earnings surpassed the consensus estimate in each of the trailing four quarters. The average earnings surprise was 4.0%. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Applied Industrial’s fiscal 2026 bottom line has inched up 0.1%.
Dover Corporation (DOV - Free Report) presently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. Dover’s earnings surpassed the consensus estimate in each of the trailing four quarters. The average earnings surprise was 2.1%. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for DOV’s 2026 earnings has been stable.
Generac Holdings (GNRC - Free Report) currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. Generac Holdings’ earnings topped the consensus estimate twice and missed on the other two occasions in the trailing four quarters. The average earnings surprise was 7.4%. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for GNRC’s 2026 earnings has been stable.
Graco Inc. (GGG - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.91 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.81 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.75 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +12.35%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this company would post earnings of $0.75 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.66, delivering a surprise of -12%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates just once.
Graco, which belongs to the Zacks Manufacturing - General Industrial industry, posted revenues of $590.55 million for the quarter ended June 2026, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.98%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $571.81 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates just once over the last four quarters.
The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.
Graco shares have lost about 10.8% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 9.7%.
What's Next for Graco?While Graco has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?
There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Graco was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $0.81 on $584.75 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $3.10 on $2.35 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Manufacturing - General Industrial is currently in the top 26% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
One other stock from the same industry, Dover Corporation (DOV - Free Report) , is yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026. The results are expected to be released on July 23.
This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.72 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +11.5%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.3% higher over the last 30 days to the current level.
Dover Corporation's revenues are expected to be $2.21 billion, up 7.9% from the year-ago quarter.
For the quarter ended June 2026, Graco Inc. (GGG - Free Report) reported revenue of $590.55 million, up 3.3% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $0.91, compared to $0.75 in the year-ago quarter.
The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $608.7 million, representing a surprise of -2.98%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +12.35%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $0.81.
While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.
As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately.
Here is how Graco performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
Net sales- Expansion Markets: $41.89 million versus $41.72 million estimated by four analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +3.3% change.Net Sales- Contractor: $299.42 million compared to the $309.41 million average estimate based on four analysts. The reported number represents a change of +3.6% year over year.Net Sales- Industrial: $249.24 million versus $257.28 million estimated by four analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +2.9% change.Operating earnings /(loss)- Industrial: $84.35 million versus $88.86 million estimated by four analysts on average.Operating earnings/(loss)- Expansion Markets: $9.49 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $9.9 million.Operating earnings /(loss)- Unallocated corporate (expense): $-9.9 million compared to the $-10.11 million average estimate based on four analysts.Operating earnings /(loss)- Contractor: $91.16 million compared to the $80.73 million average estimate based on four analysts.View all Key Company Metrics for Graco here>>>
Shares of Graco have returned -1.4% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.3% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Graco Inc. (NYSE: GGG) today announced results for the second quarter ended June 26, 2026. Summary $ in millions except per share amounts Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Jun 26, 2026 Jun 27, 2025 % Change Jun 26, 2026 Jun 27, 2025 % Change Net Sales $ 590.6 $ 571.8 3 % $ 1,130.7 $ 1,100.1 3 % Operating Earnings 175.1 157.5 11 % 312.9 301.5 4 % Net Earnings 144.9 127.6 14 % 263.4 251.7 5 % Diluted Net.
The upcoming report from Graco Inc. (GGG - Free Report) is expected to reveal quarterly earnings of $0.81 per share, indicating an increase of 8% compared to the year-ago period. Analysts forecast revenues of $608.7 million, representing an increase of 6.5% year over year.
The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. This represents how the covering analysts, as a whole, have reassessed their initial estimates during this timeframe.
Before a company announces its earnings, it is essential to take into account any changes made to earnings estimates. This is a valuable factor in predicting the potential reactions of investors toward the stock. Empirical research has consistently shown a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and the short-term price performance of a stock.
While investors typically use consensus earnings and revenue estimates as a yardstick to evaluate the company's quarterly performance, scrutinizing analysts' projections for some of the company's key metrics can offer a more comprehensive perspective.
In light of this perspective, let's dive into the average estimates of certain Graco metrics that are commonly tracked and forecasted by Wall Street analysts.
Analysts expect 'Net sales- Expansion Markets' to come in at $41.77 million. The estimate indicates a change of +3% from the prior-year quarter.
The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Net Sales- Contractor' of $309.49 million. The estimate suggests a change of +7.1% year over year.
Analysts' assessment points toward 'Net Sales- Industrial' reaching $257.30 million. The estimate points to a change of +6.2% from the year-ago quarter.
The consensus estimate for 'Operating earnings /(loss)- Industrial' stands at $88.98 million. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $82.37 million.
The average prediction of analysts places 'Operating earnings/(loss)- Expansion Markets' at $10.02 million. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $8.83 million in the same quarter last year.
It is projected by analysts that the 'Operating earnings /(loss)- Contractor' will reach $80.74 million. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $75.49 million.
View all Key Company Metrics for Graco here>>>
Over the past month, shares of Graco have returned -2.5% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.6% change. Currently, GGG carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), suggesting that its performance may align with the overall market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Graco Inc. (NYSE: GGG) announced today that it will release its second quarter 2026 earnings after the New York Stock Exchange closes on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. A full-text copy of the earnings announcement will be available on the company’s website at investors.graco.com. Graco management will hold a conference call, including slides via webcast, with analysts and institutional investors to discuss the results at 11a.m. EDT / 10a.m. CDT on Thursday, July 23, 2026.
A real-time listen-only webcast of the conference call will be broadcast on the company’s website and by going here: edge.media-server.com. Listeners should register on the website at least 15 minutes prior to the live conference call. For those unable to listen to the live event, a replay of the webcast will be available on the company’s website at investors.graco.com.
ABOUT GRACO
Graco Inc. supplies technology and expertise for the management of fluids in both industrial and commercial applications. It designs, manufactures and markets systems and equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray fluid and powder materials. A recognized leader in its specialties, Minneapolis-based Graco serves customers around the world in the manufacturing, processing, construction and maintenance industries. For additional information about Graco Inc., please visit us at www.graco.com.
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Graco Inc. (NYSE:GGG) announced today that Steven B. Hedlund has been appointed as a member of the company’s Board of Directors, effective September 10, 2026.
Mr. Hedlund is President and Chief Executive Officer of Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: LECO), a leading manufacturer of advanced arc welding solutions, a role he has held since January 2024. He also serves as its Chairman. Previously, he was Lincoln Electric’s Chief Operating Officer and served in various other operating, strategic and business development leadership roles. Before joining Lincoln Electric, Mr. Hedlund was Vice President, Growth and Innovation and Vice President Strategy and New Business Development at Fortune Brands, Inc. Earlier in his career, he was a principal with the management consulting firm of Booz Allen Hamilton. Mr. Hedlund holds both a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Business Administration from Dartmouth College.
“We are delighted to have Steve join the Graco Board of Directors. He is a proven leader with a growth-oriented mindset and a track record of driving value creation, including in international markets,” said J. Kevin Gilligan, Graco’s Chairman of the Board. “Steve brings with him a deep understanding of the manufacturing sector and global go-to-market strategy development and execution. He is a natural fit for our board, and we look forward to his many contributions to Graco’s future success.”
Mr. Hedlund will serve on the company’s Audit Committee and Management Organization and Compensation Committee.
ABOUT GRACO
Graco Inc. supplies technology and expertise for the management of fluids and coatings in both industrial and commercial applications. It designs, manufactures and markets systems and equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray fluid and powder materials. A recognized leader in its specialties, Minneapolis-based Graco serves customers around the world in the manufacturing, processing, construction, and maintenance industries. For additional information about Graco Inc., please visit us at www.graco.com.
Graco Inc. NYSE:GGG announced today that Steven B. Hedlund has been appointed as a member of the company’s Board of Directors, effective September 10, 2026.
Mr. Hedlund is President and Chief Executive Officer of Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: LECO), a leading manufacturer of advanced arc welding solutions, a role he has held since January 2024. He also serves as its Chairman. Previously, he was Lincoln Electric’s Chief Operating Officer and served in various other operating, strategic and business development leadership roles. Before joining Lincoln Electric, Mr. Hedlund was Vice President, Growth and Innovation and Vice President Strategy and New Business Development at Fortune Brands, Inc. Earlier in his career, he was a principal with the management consulting firm of Booz Allen Hamilton. Mr. Hedlund holds both a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Business Administration from Dartmouth College.
“We are delighted to have Steve join the Graco Board of Directors. He is a proven leader with a growth-oriented mindset and a track record of driving value creation, including in international markets,” said J. Kevin Gilligan, Graco’s Chairman of the Board. “Steve brings with him a deep understanding of the manufacturing sector and global go-to-market strategy development and execution. He is a natural fit for our board, and we look forward to his many contributions to Graco’s future success.”
Mr. Hedlund will serve on the company’s Audit Committee and Management Organization and Compensation Committee.
ABOUT GRACO
Graco Inc. supplies technology and expertise for the management of fluids and coatings in both industrial and commercial applications. It designs, manufactures and markets systems and equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray fluid and powder materials. A recognized leader in its specialties, Minneapolis-based Graco serves customers around the world in the manufacturing, processing, construction, and maintenance industries. For additional information about Graco Inc., please visit us at www.graco.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260612770801/en/
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Board of Directors of Graco Inc. (NYSE:GGG) has declared a regular quarterly dividend of 29.5 cents ($0.295) per common share, payable on August 5, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 20, 2026. The Company has approximately 162.1 million shares outstanding.
ABOUT GRACO
Graco Inc. supplies technology and expertise for the management of fluids and coatings in both industrial and commercial applications. It designs, manufactures and markets systems and equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray fluid and powder materials. A recognized leader in its specialties, Minneapolis-based Graco serves customers around the world in the manufacturing, processing, construction, and maintenance industries. For additional information about Graco Inc., please visit us at www.graco.com.
The Board of Directors of Graco Inc. NYSE:GGG has declared a regular quarterly dividend of 29.5 cents ($0.295) per common share, payable on August 5, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 20, 2026. The Company has approximately 162.1 million shares outstanding.
ABOUT GRACO
Graco Inc. supplies technology and expertise for the management of fluids and coatings in both industrial and commercial applications. It designs, manufactures and markets systems and equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray fluid and powder materials. A recognized leader in its specialties, Minneapolis-based Graco serves customers around the world in the manufacturing, processing, construction, and maintenance industries. For additional information about Graco Inc., please visit us at www.graco.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260612044286/en/
Canoe Financial LP reduced its stake in shares of Graco Inc. (NYSE:GGG – Free Report) by 12.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 486,374 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after selling 68,000 shares during the period. Canoe Financial LP owned approximately 0.29% of Graco worth $39,868,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in GGG. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its position in Graco by 15.6% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 330,409 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $27,592,000 after acquiring an additional 44,573 shares during the period. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Graco by 982.6% in the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 498 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 452 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Graco by 0.9% in the second quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,079,571 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $92,811,000 after purchasing an additional 9,702 shares during the last quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Graco by 122.0% during the second quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 33,236 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $2,959,000 after purchasing an additional 18,262 shares during the period. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Graco by 262.1% during the second quarter. XTX Topco Ltd now owns 11,729 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $1,008,000 after purchasing an additional 8,490 shares during the period. 93.88% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts recently weighed in on GGG shares. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Graco from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Thursday, February 5th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Graco from $97.00 to $100.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Robert W. Baird set a $96.00 price objective on shares of Graco in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. DA Davidson reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $85.00 price objective on shares of Graco in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Finally, KeyCorp reissued a “sector weight” rating on shares of Graco in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $96.50.
Get Our Latest Stock Report on Graco
Graco Trading Down 1.0% Shares of GGG stock opened at $83.82 on Friday. Graco Inc. has a twelve month low of $72.06 and a twelve month high of $95.69. The stock has a market cap of $13.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.12, a P/E/G ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 1.07. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $89.56 and a 200 day moving average of $85.33.
Graco (NYSE:GGG – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, January 26th. The industrial products company reported $0.77 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.77. The business had revenue of $593.16 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $591.99 million. Graco had a return on equity of 19.49% and a net margin of 23.33%.The business’s quarterly revenue was up 8.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.64 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Graco Inc. will post 3.06 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Graco Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 6th. Investors of record on Monday, April 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.295 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 13th. This represents a $1.18 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.4%. Graco’s dividend payout ratio is 38.19%.
Graco declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase program on Friday, December 5th that allows the company to buyback 15,000,000 outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the industrial products company to reacquire shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically a sign that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.
Insider Activity In other news, Director J Kevin Gilligan sold 12,870 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $89.07, for a total transaction of $1,146,330.90. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Timothy R. White sold 1,469 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.70, for a total value of $133,238.30. Following the sale, the insider owned 51,430 shares in the company, valued at $4,664,701. This trade represents a 2.78% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 19,394 shares of company stock worth $1,739,326 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 2.18% of the company’s stock.
Graco Profile (Free Report)
Graco Inc is a leading manufacturer of fluid handling systems and components, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded in 1926, the company has built a reputation for innovation in spray finishing, lubrication, and fluid management technologies. Graco’s solutions are designed to address the needs of paint and coatings applicators, general industry, and process fluids in a variety of end markets.
The company’s product portfolio includes airless and air-assisted spray equipment, pumps for oil and gas applications, industrial lubrication systems, and automated dispensing equipment.
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SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its stake in Graco Inc. (NYSE:GGG – Free Report) by 186.0% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 123,655 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after acquiring an additional 80,421 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC owned about 0.07% of Graco worth $10,136,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of GGG. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Graco during the third quarter worth about $29,000. Assetmark Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Graco by 42.6% in the 3rd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 465 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 139 shares during the last quarter. CX Institutional boosted its position in shares of Graco by 316.7% in the 3rd quarter. CX Institutional now owns 475 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 361 shares during the period. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Graco by 982.6% in the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 498 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 452 shares during the period. Finally, TD Private Client Wealth LLC grew its stake in Graco by 116.9% during the 3rd quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 514 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 277 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.88% of the company’s stock.
Graco Stock Up 0.1% Shares of GGG stock opened at $83.82 on Monday. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $89.56 and its 200 day moving average price is $85.33. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.90 billion, a PE ratio of 27.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 1.07. Graco Inc. has a 52-week low of $72.06 and a 52-week high of $95.69.
Graco (NYSE:GGG – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, January 26th. The industrial products company reported $0.77 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.77. The company had revenue of $593.16 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $591.99 million. Graco had a return on equity of 19.49% and a net margin of 23.33%.The company’s revenue was up 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.64 EPS. Analysts expect that Graco Inc. will post 3.06 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Graco Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 6th. Investors of record on Monday, April 13th will be given a $0.295 dividend. This represents a $1.18 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 13th. Graco’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 38.19%.
Graco announced that its board has approved a stock repurchase plan on Friday, December 5th that allows the company to repurchase 15,000,000 shares. This repurchase authorization allows the industrial products company to repurchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research analysts have commented on the company. Robert W. Baird set a $96.00 price target on Graco in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on Graco from $100.00 to $105.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Graco from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Thursday, February 5th. KeyCorp reiterated a “sector weight” rating on shares of Graco in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target on shares of Graco from $97.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $96.50.
Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Graco
Insider Activity In other Graco news, insider Timothy R. White sold 1,469 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.70, for a total transaction of $133,238.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 51,430 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,664,701. This represents a 2.78% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Angela F. Wordell sold 2,832 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.22, for a total transaction of $263,999.04. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 13,360 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,245,419.20. This trade represents a 17.49% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 19,394 shares of company stock valued at $1,739,326. 2.18% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.
Graco Profile (Free Report)
Graco Inc is a leading manufacturer of fluid handling systems and components, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded in 1926, the company has built a reputation for innovation in spray finishing, lubrication, and fluid management technologies. Graco’s solutions are designed to address the needs of paint and coatings applicators, general industry, and process fluids in a variety of end markets.
The company’s product portfolio includes airless and air-assisted spray equipment, pumps for oil and gas applications, industrial lubrication systems, and automated dispensing equipment.
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MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Graco Inc. (NYSE: GGG) announced today that it will release its First Quarter 2026 earnings after the New York Stock Exchange closes on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. A full-text copy of the earnings announcement will be available on the company's website at investors.graco.com. Graco management will hold a conference call, including slides via webcast, with analysts and institutional investors to discuss the results at 11 a.m. EDT / 10 a.m. CDT on Thursday, April 23,.
Graco Inc. remains a Hold due to high valuation multiples despite strong business fundamentals and a wide economic moat. Recent GGG growth is largely acquisition-driven; organic revenue growth was flat for FY25, with management guiding for low single-digit organic growth in FY26. Risks have increased from volatile oil prices, supply chain disruptions, and a fragile construction market, which comprises 52% of GGG's sales.
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- #Centennial--A century ago, in the depths of a Minnesota winter, a downtown Minneapolis parking lot attendant named Russell Gray grew fed up with grease guns that froze, failed, and injured workers while servicing cars. That frustration, and a belief that work should be safer and more reliable, resulted in the invention of an air-powered grease gun that solved a real customer problem, launching Graco Inc. This month, Graco marks its 100th anniversary as a $2 billion global indu.
Wall Street analysts expect Graco Inc. (GGG - Free Report) to post quarterly earnings of $0.75 per share in its upcoming report, which indicates a year-over-year increase of 7.1%. Revenues are expected to be $560.25 million, up 6.1% from the year-ago quarter.
The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. This reflects how the analysts covering the stock have collectively reevaluated their initial estimates during this timeframe.
Ahead of a company's earnings disclosure, it is crucial to give due consideration to changes in earnings estimates. These revisions serve as a noteworthy factor in predicting potential investor reactions to the stock. Numerous empirical studies consistently demonstrate a strong relationship between trends in earnings estimate revision and the short-term price performance of a stock.
While it's common for investors to rely on consensus earnings and revenue estimates for assessing how the business may have performed during the quarter, exploring analysts' forecasts for key metrics can yield valuable insights.
Bearing this in mind, let's now explore the average estimates of specific Graco metrics that are commonly monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts.
It is projected by analysts that the 'Net Sales- Contractor' will reach $272.75 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +7%.
The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Net Sales- Industrial' will likely reach $246.13 million. The estimate suggests a change of +6.3% year over year.
Analysts forecast 'Operating earnings /(loss)- Industrial' to reach $84.52 million. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $79.60 million.
The consensus among analysts is that 'Operating earnings /(loss)- Contractor' will reach $69.44 million. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $61.93 million.
View all Key Company Metrics for Graco here>>>
Shares of Graco have demonstrated returns of +2.4% over the past month compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +9.3% change. With a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), GGG is expected to beat the overall market performance in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Graco Inc. (NYSE: GGG) today announced results for the first quarter ended March 27, 2026. Summary $ in millions except per share amounts Three Months Ended Mar 27, 2026 Mar 28, 2025 % Change Net Sales $ 540.1 $ 528.3 2 % Operating Earnings 137.8 144.0 (4 )% Net Earnings 118.5 124.1 (5 )% Diluted Net Earnings per Common Share $ 0.70 $ 0.72 (3 )% Adjusted (non-GAAP): (1) Net Earnings, adjusted $ 111.8 $ 120.
Graco Inc. (GGG - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.66 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.75 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.7 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -12.00%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this company would post earnings of $0.77 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.77, delivering no surprise.
Over the last four quarters, the company has not been able to surpass consensus EPS estimates.
Graco, which belongs to the Zacks Manufacturing - General Industrial industry, posted revenues of $540.14 million for the quarter ended March 2026, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.5%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $528.28 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates just once over the last four quarters.
The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.
Graco shares have added about 6.5% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 3.2%.
What's Next for Graco?While Graco has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?
There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Graco was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $0.83 on $607.77 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $3.19 on $2.36 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Manufacturing - General Industrial is currently in the bottom 33% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
Another stock from the same industry, Mueller Water Products (MWA - Free Report) , has yet to report results for the quarter ended March 2026.
This maker of fire hydrants, pipes and water valves is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.38 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +11.8%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
Mueller Water Products' revenues are expected to be $378.15 million, up 3.8% from the year-ago quarter.
Graco Inc. (GGG - Free Report) reported $540.14 million in revenue for the quarter ended March 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 2.3%. EPS of $0.66 for the same period compares to $0.70 a year ago.
The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $559.75 million, representing a surprise of -3.5%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of -12%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $0.75.
While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.
As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately.
Here is how Graco performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
Net Sales- Contractor: $260 million compared to the $272.48 million average estimate based on four analysts. The reported number represents a change of +2% year over year.Net sales- Expansion Markets: $39.7 million versus $41.21 million estimated by four analysts on average.Net Sales- Industrial: $240.4 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $245.78 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +3.8%.Operating earnings /(loss)- Contractor: $62.24 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $69.32 million.Operating earnings /(loss)- Unallocated corporate (expense): $-9.91 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $-7.65 million.Operating earnings/(loss)- Expansion Markets: $9.64 million compared to the $9.93 million average estimate based on four analysts.Operating earnings /(loss)- Industrial: $75.81 million versus $84.53 million estimated by four analysts on average.View all Key Company Metrics for Graco here>>>
Shares of Graco have returned +2.1% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +8.6% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
Key Takeaways Graco reported Q1 EPS of 66 cents, missing estimates, while sales rose 2% but lagged forecasts.GGG saw a 6% organic sales decline, offset by acquisitions and currency tailwinds.Margins fell on weak mix and costs, though backlog rose 13% and outlook remains intact. Graco Inc. (GGG - Free Report) reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 66 cents per share, down 6% from 70 cents in the year-ago quarter. The bottom line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 75 cents by 12%.
The company’s net sales rose 2% year over year to $540.1 million but lagged the consensus estimate of $560 million by 3.5%. Organic order backlog rose 13% from the end of 2025.
On a regional basis, quarterly sales generated from the Americas increased 3% year over year. In Europe, the Middle East and Africa, sales increased 4% year over year. Sales from the Asia Pacific decreased 5% year over year.
Acquisitions Offset Organic SlideGraco’s acquired operations had a contribution of $26 million to sales growth, while currency translation added roughly $17 million. These tailwinds more than offset a 6% organic decline that management tied to softer construction markets and project timing.
Management highlighted that incoming order rates increased as the quarter progressed, and the company exited the quarter with a solid order trend. This supported the increase in organic order backlog relative to 2025-end.
Graco Segment Sales Show Mixed End MarketsContractor segment sales increased 2% year over year to $260 million, as infrastructure-related demand held up better than residential construction activity. While acquisitions and currency translation both had a positive impact of 3% on sales growth, organic sales decreased 4%.
Industrial segment sales rose 4% to $240.4 million, supported by acquired businesses but weighed down by powder finishing system completions and other projects. Acquisitions had a positive impact of 8% on sales growth. While currency translation had a favorable impact of 4% on sales, organic sales decreased 8%.
Expansion Markets sales decreased 4% to $39.7 million, owing to a decrease in semiconductor application sales in the Americas. While organic sales declined 5% on a year-over-year basis, currency translation had a favorable impact of 1% on sales.
Margin Profile of GracoIn the first quarter, Graco’s cost of sales increased 3.6% year over year to $259.5 million. Gross profit increased 1% to $280.6 million, while the margin of 52% was down 60 basis points (bps) year over year. Margins were hurt due to adverse product and channel mix and the soft margin profile of acquired assets.
Operating income decreased 4% year over year to $137.8 million. The operating margin decreased 180 bps to 25.5% from the year-ago quarter. Interest expenses totaled $836 million compared with $713 million in the previous year’s quarter. The adjusted effective tax rate was 15% compared with the year-ago quarter’s 18%.
Graco’s Balance Sheet and Cash FlowGraco ended the quarter with $712.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, up from $624.1 million at the end of 2025. It generated net cash of $120.2 million from operating activities in the first three months of 2026 compared with $125.4 million in the year-ago period. Capital used for purchasing property, plant and equipment totaled $12.1 million compared with $10.6 million in the year-ago period.
Graco paid out dividends worth $48.9 million to its shareholders in the year, up 0.4% from the year-ago period. It repurchased shares worth $11.8 million in the same period.
2026 OutlookGraco continues to expect organic sales to increase in the low single digits on a constant-currency basis in 2026. Sales are anticipated to grow in mid-single digits, including acquisitions. It expects to incur capital expenditure of roughly $90-$100 million for 2026, and the effective tax rate is projected to be 20-21% for second-quarter and 2026.
Zacks Rank and Stocks to ConsiderThe company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks from the same space are discussed below:
DXP Enterprises (DXPE - Free Report) presently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
DXP Enterprises’ earnings surpassed the consensus estimate by 52.8% in the last reported quarter. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for DXPE’s 2026 earnings has increased by 17.2%.
Nordson Corporation (NDSN - Free Report) currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). Nordson’s earnings topped the consensus estimate in each of the trailing four quarters. The average earnings surprise was 2.5%. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Nordson’s fiscal 2026 earnings has increased 1.8%.
RBC Bearings (RBC - Free Report) presently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. RBC Bearings’ earnings surpassed the consensus estimate in each of the trailing four quarters. The average earnings surprise was 5.3%. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for RBC Bearings’ fiscal 2026 earnings has inched down 0.3%.
DAYTON, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To celebrate its 100th anniversary, Graco has unveiled a large-scale land artwork by internationally recognized artist Saype, marking his first-ever installation in Minnesota and adding Graco's campus in Dayton to the global list of locations where his work has appeared. Saype is widely recognized for pioneering large-scale, biodegradable land art designed to be viewed from the sky, creating striking, temporary frescoes on grass, sand, snow, and earth that are re.
Comerica Bank grew its stake in Graco Inc. (NYSE:GGG – Free Report) by 54.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 172,328 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after acquiring an additional 60,486 shares during the quarter. Comerica Bank owned 0.10% of Graco worth $14,126,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Nordea Investment Management AB boosted its holdings in Graco by 432.6% in the third quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 85,654 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $7,263,000 after acquiring an additional 69,573 shares in the last quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Graco by 32.7% in the fourth quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 398,336 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $32,652,000 after purchasing an additional 98,141 shares during the last quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. raised its stake in shares of Graco by 154.2% in the third quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 64,341 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $5,466,000 after purchasing an additional 39,031 shares during the last quarter. Raiffeisen Bank International AG raised its stake in shares of Graco by 191.8% in the third quarter. Raiffeisen Bank International AG now owns 8,809 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $744,000 after purchasing an additional 5,790 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd raised its stake in shares of Graco by 40.5% in the third quarter. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd now owns 45,544 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $3,869,000 after purchasing an additional 13,130 shares during the last quarter. 93.88% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.
Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms have recently weighed in on GGG. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on Graco from $100.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Graco from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on Graco from $96.00 to $92.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 24th. KeyCorp restated a “sector weight” rating on shares of Graco in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $95.00 price target on shares of Graco in a research note on Friday. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $94.25.
Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Graco
Graco Stock Performance Graco stock opened at $80.20 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $13.31 billion, a PE ratio of 26.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 1.09. Graco Inc. has a one year low of $78.87 and a one year high of $95.69. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $87.36 and a 200 day moving average of $85.47.
Graco (NYSE:GGG – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 22nd. The industrial products company reported $0.66 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.75 by ($0.09). The firm had revenue of $540.14 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $561.35 million. Graco had a net margin of 22.96% and a return on equity of 18.66%. The firm’s revenue was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.70 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Graco Inc. will post 3.13 EPS for the current fiscal year.
Graco Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 6th. Investors of record on Monday, April 13th will be given a dividend of $0.295 per share. This represents a $1.18 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.5%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 13th. Graco’s dividend payout ratio is 38.44%.
Insider Activity at Graco In related news, EVP Kathryn L. Schoenrock sold 2,223 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $88.06, for a total transaction of $195,757.38. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 7,846 shares in the company, valued at approximately $690,918.76. This represents a 22.08% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director J Kevin Gilligan sold 12,870 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $89.07, for a total value of $1,146,330.90. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 19,394 shares of company stock valued at $1,739,326 in the last 90 days. 2.18% of the stock is owned by company insiders.
Trending Headlines about Graco Here are the key news stories impacting Graco this week:
Positive Sentiment: Company director Andrea Helen Simon purchased 1,240 shares at about $80.53 (≈$99.9k total), signaling insider confidence in the stock near current levels. Insider Purchase Positive Sentiment: Graco declared a quarterly cash dividend ($0.295/share, annualized ~$1.18; yield ~1.5%), supporting income investors and signaling steady cash returns. MarketBeat GGG Neutral Sentiment: Analysts remain split on Graco’s near-term outlook — coverage includes both buy/outperform and neutral/hold views, leaving consensus guidance and price-target dispersion as a source of volatility. Analysts Conflicted Neutral Sentiment: DA Davidson reaffirmed a neutral rating with an $85 price target (close to current levels), which caps near-term upside until fundamentals reaccelerate. DA Davidson Note Neutral Sentiment: Recent media pieces are re-checking Graco’s valuation and market positioning after recent share moves — useful for investors reassessing relative value vs. peers. Yahoo Valuation Check Kalkine Neutral Sentiment: Shareholders approved directors, auditor and executive pay at the April annual meeting — removes a near-term governance overhang. Shareholder Meeting Neutral Sentiment: Peer/Xylem reported stronger-than-expected Q1 results and raised revenue outlooks, highlighting pockets of strength in industrial demand that could be either competitive tailwinds or benchmarking pressure for Graco. Xylem Q1 Negative Sentiment: Graco’s April quarter missed expectations: EPS $0.66 vs. est. $0.75 and revenue ~$540M vs. est. ~$561M. The miss on both profit and revenue is the primary near-term negative catalyst weighing on the stock. Earnings/Valuation Context Graco Company Profile (Free Report)
Graco Inc is a leading manufacturer of fluid handling systems and components, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded in 1926, the company has built a reputation for innovation in spray finishing, lubrication, and fluid management technologies. Graco’s solutions are designed to address the needs of paint and coatings applicators, general industry, and process fluids in a variety of end markets.
The company’s product portfolio includes airless and air-assisted spray equipment, pumps for oil and gas applications, industrial lubrication systems, and automated dispensing equipment.
Featured Stories Five stocks we like better than Graco
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MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Graco Inc. (NYSE: GGG), a global leader in fluid and powder handling technologies, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Valco Melton, a global provider of adhesive application and quality assurance systems, for $447 million in cash, including the present value of approximately $40 million in expected tax benefits, subject to customary adjustments. This represents approximately 14x Valco Melton's full year 2025 EBITDA. The transactio.
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In celebration of Graco's 100th anniversary, the Graco Foundation announced a $1 million Centennial Impact Initiative to support 10 Minnesota nonprofit organizations advancing self-sufficiency, stability and workforce development, including technical training and career pathways aligned with Minnesota's manufacturing and industrial workforce needs. Through the initiative, each nonprofit partner will receive a $100,000 grant to commemorate Graco's centennial anniver.
