Grainger reported sales, including fasteners, in the second quarter of 2019 increased 1% to $2.9 billion, composed of a 1.5 percentage point increase in volume and a 0.5 percentage point increase from price.

Q2 operating earnings rose 11% to $380 million, with operating margin up 110 basis points to 13.1%. Gross profit margin dipped to 38.7%.

“Despite slower than expected global economic growth and our significant investment in the endless assortment model, we drove strong operating results and cash flow,” stated CEO DG Macpherson.

Sales during the first half of 2019 gained 1.2% to $5.69 billion, with operating earnings up 9.4% to $743 million and net earnings growing 9.2% to $534 million. Web: Grainger.com