Zacks Research Issues Optimistic Forecast for Graco Earnings

Graco Inc. (NYSE:GGG) – Stock analysts at Zacks Research upped their Q2 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Graco in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, March 12th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the industrial products company will post earnings per share of $0.83 for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $0.82. The consensus estimate for Graco’s current full-year earnings is $3.06 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Graco’s Q3 2026 earnings at $0.79 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $3.19 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $0.84 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $0.98 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $4.15 EPS.

A number of other equities analysts also recently weighed in on GGG. Robert W. Baird set a $96.00 price target on shares of Graco in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their target price on Graco from $97.00 to $100.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their target price on Graco from $100.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Weiss Ratings raised Graco from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. Finally, KeyCorp reiterated 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 company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $96.50.

Graco Stock Up 0.8%

Shares of NYSE:GGG opened at $87.58 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $89.67 and a two-hundred day moving average of $85.37. Graco has a 12-month low of $72.06 and a 12-month high of $95.69. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.34, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 1.07.

Graco (NYSE:GGG) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, January 26th. The industrial products company reported $0.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.77. Graco had a net margin of 23.33% and a return on equity of 19.49%. The business had revenue of $593.16 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $591.99 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.64 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 8.1% compared to the same quarter last year.

Graco Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 6th. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 13th will be given a dividend of $0.295 per share. This represents a $1.18 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 13th. Graco’s dividend payout ratio is presently 38.19%.

Graco declared that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Friday, December 5th that allows the company to repurchase 15,000,000 outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the industrial products company to purchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are usually a sign that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Kathryn L. Schoenrock sold 2,223 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated 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 position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director J Kevin Gilligan sold 12,870 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $89.07, for a total value of $1,146,330.90. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 19,394 shares of company stock valued at $1,739,326 in the last three months. 2.19% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Graco

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GGG. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Graco during the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. Assetmark Inc. lifted its position in Graco by 42.6% during the 3rd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 465 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 139 shares during the last quarter. CX Institutional lifted its position in Graco by 316.7% during the 3rd quarter. CX Institutional now owns 475 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 361 shares during the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Graco by 982.6% during the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 498 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 452 shares during the period. Finally, Field & Main Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Graco in the fourth quarter valued at about $41,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.88% of the company’s stock.

Graco Company Profile

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.