Graco manufactures equipment used for managing fluids, coatings, and adhesives, specializing in difficult-to-handle materials... Show more
Graco Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets systems and equipment that move, measure, control, dispense, and spray fluid and powder materials across industrial and commercial applications. The company operates through three reportable segments: Contractor, which supplies paint sprayers and related equipment for professional coatings; Industrial, which serves finishing systems and fluid-handling applications; and Expansion Markets, which includes environmental, semiconductor, high-pressure valve, and electric motor businesses.
Graco has long stood out among industrial manufacturers for its unusually wide operating margins, an investment-grade balance sheet, and a disciplined capital-allocation model built around dividends, share repurchases, and targeted acquisitions. That profitability profile, combined with recurring aftermarket demand, is a core reason investors follow the stock closely.
Over the last 30 days, Graco shares declined from a closing price of $78.89 on October 6 to roughly $67.69 in early November, a drop of about 14%. The bulk of that decline occurred in a single trading session: after the company reported third-quarter results, the stock gapped lower on October 22 and closed down roughly 15% on volume well above its typical daily average.
The quarterly trend tells a similar story. From an early-August level near $82.50, the stock has fallen approximately 18%. The shares had been rangebound between roughly $76 and $83 through September and mid-October before the post-earnings selloff reset the range lower, leaving the stock near the bottom of its recent trading band.
The primary driver was Graco's third-quarter 2026 earnings report, released after the market close on October 21. The company posted record revenue of $586.4 million, up about 8% year over year, with all three segments contributing to growth. However, adjusted earnings per share of $0.81 rose only 5% and missed the consensus estimate of roughly $0.83, while revenue also came in slightly below analyst projections.
Investors focused on profitability rather than the top line. Adjusted operating margin declined roughly 180 basis points year over year to 27%, pressured by product and channel mix, including a higher mix of lower-margin powder finishing systems, as well as the dilutive impact of the recently completed Valco Melton acquisition. Net income fell about 12% year over year to $121.6 million.
The selloff was compounded by guidance. Management set fourth-quarter revenue guidance of $610 million to $640 million, a range whose midpoint sat modestly below the consensus estimate near $642 million. Several analysts, including DA Davidson, RBC Capital, and Baird, subsequently trimmed their price targets, citing backlog conversion and near-term demand uncertainty.
The quarterly decline reflects a longer-running narrative of soft industrial capital spending. Through the first half of 2026, Graco's organic sales had contracted, and even the third-quarter return to 4% organic growth came partly from an easier prior-year comparison. Management has repeatedly described a measured approach among customers to larger capital projects, with longer decision cycles and occasional project delays.
At the same time, the company has leaned on acquisitions to sustain growth, with the Valco Melton deal closing during the third quarter and contributing to segment-level dilution near term. Positive signals, including a 7% rise in organic orders and an 18% increase in backlog excluding acquisitions from the start of the year, have so far been outweighed by investor concerns about margins and the pace of industrial recovery.
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Looking ahead, investors will be watching whether Graco's organic growth can be sustained and whether margin pressures prove temporary or persistent. The fourth-quarter report, typically released in late January, will be a key checkpoint for demand trends, price-versus-cost dynamics, and the progress of the Valco Melton integration.
Other factors to monitor include the trajectory of industrial capital spending and large-project timing, the strength of semiconductor and environmental demand in Expansion Markets, and any updates on the technology licensing agreement with ABB targeting data-center cooling applications. The company's balance sheet, cash flow, and ongoing share-repurchase activity remain supportive factors, while any renewed margin erosion or further industrial softness could weigh on sentiment. As always, these factors are informational and do not constitute financial advice.
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
GGG may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options. In 24 of 38 cases where GGG's price broke its lower Bollinger Band, its price rose further in the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 63%.
The RSI Indicator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where GGG's RSI Indicator exited the oversold zone, 18 of 39 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 46%.
The Stochastic Oscillator suggests the stock price trend may be in a reversal from a downward trend to an upward trend. 31 of 66 cases where GGG's Stochastic Oscillator exited the oversold zone resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 47%.
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on November 06, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on GGG as a result. In 44 of 94 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 47%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for GGG just turned positive on November 10, 2026. Looking at past instances where GGG's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 27 of 45 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 60%.
Following a +1.13% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where GGG advanced for three days, in 147 of 313 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 47%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 88 of 211 cases where GGG Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 42%.
GGG moved below its 50-day moving average on October 22, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
The 10-day moving average for GGG crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on October 26, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 7 of 14 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 50%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where GGG declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 52%.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 45 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 71 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating slightly worse than average price growth. GGG’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 77 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (4.357) is normal, around the industry mean (3.843). P/E Ratio (21.009) is within average values for comparable stocks, (36.971). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (2.334) is also within normal values, averaging (1.879). Dividend Yield (0.017) settles around the average of (0.032) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (5.643) is also within normal values, averaging (189.487).
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 77 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 87 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. GGG’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 73, placing this stock worse than average.
The average fundamental analysis ratings, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, are as follows
a manufacturer of commercial fluid control systems and air compressors
Industry IndustrialMachinery