W.W. Grainger (NYSE: GWW) reported earnings on July 17. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended June 30 (Q2), W.W. Grainger met expectations on revenues and beat slightly on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue increased. GAAP earnings per share grew significantly.

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 W.W. Grainger reported revenue of $2.38 billion. The 18 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected sales of $2.40 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 5.9% higher than the prior-year quarter's $2.25 billion.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
 EPS came in at $3.03. The 20 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $2.96 per share. GAAP EPS of $3.03 for Q2 were 15% higher than the prior-year quarter's $2.63 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
 For the quarter, gross margin was 44.0%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 14.7%, 70 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 9.1%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $2.48 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $3.17.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $9.58 billion. The average EPS estimate is $11.92.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 227 members out of 243 rating the stock outperform, and 16 members rating it underperform. Among 98 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 94 give W.W. Grainger a green thumbs-up, and four give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on W.W. Grainger is outperform, with an average price target of $259.69.

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