The end of an earnings season can be a great time to discover new stocks and assess how companies are handling the current business environment. Let’s take a look at how W.W. Grainger (NYSE: GWW) and the rest of the maintenance and repair distributors stocks fared in Q4.

Supply chain and inventory management are themes that grew in focus after COVID wreaked havoc on the global movement of raw materials and components. Maintenance and repair distributors that boast reliable selection and quickly deliver products to customers can benefit from this theme. While e-commerce hasn’t disrupted industrial distribution as much as consumer retail, it is still a real threat, forcing investment in omnichannel capabilities to serve customers everywhere. Additionally, maintenance and repair distributors are at the whim of economic cycles that impact the capital spending and construction projects that can juice demand.

The 9 maintenance and repair distributors stocks we track reported a mixed Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 2.1%.

While some maintenance and repair distributors stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 2% since the latest earnings results.

W.W. Grainger (NYSE: GWW)

Founded as a supplier of motors, W.W. Grainger (NYSE: GWW) provides maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) supplies and services to businesses and institutions.

W.W. Grainger reported revenues of $4.43 billion, up 4.5% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 0.7%. Despite the top-line beat, it was still a slower quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates and full-year EPS guidance slightly missing analysts’ expectations.

"In 2025, we executed well, delivering exceptional service and a best-in-class experience for our customers across both our High-Touch Solutions and Endless Assortment segments," said D.G. Macpherson, Chairman and CEO.

Interestingly, the stock is up 1% since reporting and currently trades at $1,107.

Read our full report on W.W. Grainger here, it’s free.

Best Q4: VSE Corporation (NASDAQ: VSEC)

With roots dating back to 1959 and a strategic focus on extending the life of transportation assets, VSE Corporation (NASDAQ: VSEC) provides aftermarket parts distribution and maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for aircraft and vehicle fleets in commercial and government markets.

VSE Corporation reported revenues of $301.2 million, flat year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 4.6%. The business had an incredible quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

However, the results were likely priced into the stock as it’s traded sideways since reporting. Shares currently sit at $220.50.

Is now the time to buy VSE Corporation? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q4: Distribution Solutions (NASDAQ: DSGR)

Founded in 1952, Distribution Solutions (NASDAQ: DSGR) provides supply chain solutions and distributes industrial, safety, and maintenance products to various industries.

Distribution Solutions reported revenues of $481.6 million, flat year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 3%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Distribution Solutions delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth in the group. As expected, the stock is down 29.6% since the results and currently trades at $20.90.

Read our full analysis of Distribution Solutions’s results here.

Fastenal (NASDAQ: FAST)

Founded in 1967, Fastenal (NASDAQ: FAST) provides industrial and construction supplies, including fasteners, tools, safety products, and many other product categories to businesses globally.

Fastenal reported revenues of $2.03 billion, up 11.1% year on year. This result was in line with analysts’ expectations. More broadly, it was a slower quarter as it recorded a miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates and a miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is up 7.5% since reporting and currently trades at $47.00.

Read our full, actionable report on Fastenal here, it’s free.

DXP (NASDAQ: DXPE)

Founded during the emergence of Big Oil in Texas, DXP (NASDAQ: DXPE) provides pumps, valves, and other industrial components.

DXP reported revenues of $527.4 million, up 12% year on year. This print beat analysts’ expectations by 5.7%. Overall, it was an exceptional quarter as it also recorded an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is down 9% since reporting and currently trades at $140.21.

Read our full, actionable report on DXP here, it’s free.

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