Trading Companies & Distributors

When Wesco International Inc. (WCC) announced its third-quarter report in late October, the company was a Zacks #3 Rank ('hold'). But since then, not only has WCC moved to a Zacks #1 Rank ('strong buy'), but it also ended Wednesday's ho-hum session as one of the top performers. But it wasn't the...

Grainger (NYSE: GWW) held its annual analyst meeting in Lake Forest, Illinois, today.  Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Jim Ryan, hosted the event.  The meeting also included presentations from several other Grainger leaders. As part of the meeting, Grainger provided...

W.W. Grainger Inc. (GWW) reported October sales growth of 11% year over year. Though remaining positive, growth in October moderated from the preceding months, plunging to the lowest point thus far in this fiscal year. Monthly sales have gradually dropped from the high figures of July, August and...

For Immediate Release Chicago, IL – November 17, 2010 – Zacks.com Analyst Blog features: The TJX Companies (TJX), BP Plc (BP), Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (APC), Mitsui & Co. Ltd. (MITSY) and Benihana Inc. (BNHN). Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit...

In a report released this morning, Oppenheimer said that relevant to its non-residential construction-related stocks under coverage – United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE: URI), RSC Holdings Inc. (NYSE: RRR), McGrath RentCorp (NASDAQ: MGRC), Essex Rental Corporation (NASDAQ: ESSX), Ritchie Bros. (NYSE: RBA...

W.W. Grainger Inc. (GWW) reported October sales growth of 11% year over year. Though remaining positive, growth in October moderated from the preceding months, plunging to the lowest point thus far in this fiscal year. Monthly sales have gradually dropped from the high figures of July, August and...

For Immediate Release Chicago, IL – November 17, 2010 – Zacks.com Analyst Blog features: The TJX Companies (TJX), BP Plc (BP), Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (APC), Mitsui & Co. Ltd. (MITSY) and Benihana Inc. (BNHN). Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit...

British oil giant BP Plc (BP) agreed to divest its fuels marketing businesses in five southern African countries for $296 million to Puma Energy, subject to certain post-completion price adjustments. This move is reflective of the distressed oil major's constant endeavor to raise $25–$30 billion...

Shares of W.W. Grainger (NYSE: GWW) are higher on the session by 0.28%, currently trading at $125.85. The stock has been moving largely higher over the past six months and is currently trading above the 50-day and 200-day moving averages. Options traders are buying puts on the name today. A short...

GATX Corporation (NYSE: GMT) today announced that it acquired a fleet of over 2,500 freight cars valued at approximately $150 million. The seller was a financial institution that recently foreclosed on part of the fleet of a railcar lessor.

W.W. Grainger Inc. (GWW) reported October sales growth of 11% year over year. Though remaining positive, growth in October moderated from the preceding months, plunging to the lowest point thus far in this fiscal year. Monthly sales have gradually dropped from the high figures of July, August and...

Below are the top general building material stocks on the NYSE and NASDAQ in terms of profit margin. The trailing twelve months profit margin at Owens Corning Inc (NYSE: OC) is 20.48%. OC's PEG ratio is 1.10. The trailing twelve months profit margin at AAON Inc (NASDAQ: AAON) is 10.96%. AAON's ROE...

Grainger (NYSE: GWW) today reported sales results for the month of October 2010. Daily sales increased 11 percent versus October 2009. Results for the month included a 1 percentage point contribution from acquisitions and a 1 percentage point contribution from foreign exchange. Excluding...

Below are the top chemicals-major diversified stocks on the NYSE and the NASDAQ in terms of dividend yield. Olin Corporation (NYSE: OLN) has a dividend yield of 4.00%. OLN's shares closed at $19.29 yesterday. E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (NYSE: DD) has a dividend yield of 3.40%. DD's shares...

Doug Kass of Seabreeze Partners tweeted that one of his favorite shorts is Fastenal (NASDAQ: FAST). Kass is a notorious short seller, and has been bearish regarding the markets since 1,150 on the S&P 500, approximately 60 points ago. To read about Kass's reasoning for being short this name,...