STOCK TITAN

W.W. Grainger (GWW) director receives deferred stock units in lieu of cash fees

Filing Impact
(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
4

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

W.W. Grainger director Susan Slavik Williams reported new equity-based compensation and updated her holdings. She received two awards of deferred stock units on April 29, 2026, one for 112 units at $1,160.14 per unit and another for 176 units. Both are structured to convert into common stock on a one-for-one basis after her board service ends and were taken in lieu of cash board fees.

Following these awards, she directly holds 8,342 shares of common stock and several indirect positions through trusts and limited liability companies, where she or her husband serve as trustee or she is manager. Footnotes state she disclaims beneficial ownership of certain indirect holdings except for her actual pecuniary interest.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • None.
Insider Williams Susan Slavik
Role null
Type Security Shares Price Value
Grant/Award Deferred Stock Units 176 $0.00 --
Grant/Award Deferred Stock Units 112 $1,160.14 $130K
holding Common Stock -- -- --
holding Common Stock -- -- --
holding Common Stock -- -- --
holding Common Stock -- -- --
holding Common Stock -- -- --
holding Common Stock -- -- --
holding Common Stock -- -- --
holding Common Stock -- -- --
Holdings After Transaction: Deferred Stock Units — 2,352 shares (Direct, null); Common Stock — 8,342 shares (Direct, null); Common Stock — 5,132 shares (Indirect, In Trust)
Footnotes (1)
  1. Shares held in a trust for which Ms. Slavik Williams serves as trustee and she and her immediate family are beneficiaries. She disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of her actual pecuniary interest in such shares. Shares held in trusts for which Ms. Slavik Williams serves as trustee and is the sole beneficiary. Shares held in a trust for which Ms. Slavik Williams' husband serves as trustee and her immediate family are beneficiaries. Ms. Slavik Williams disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. Shares held in a trust for which Ms. Slavik Williams' husband serves as trustee and her immediate family are beneficiaries. Ms. Slavik Williams disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. Shares held by a limited liability company of which Ms. Slavik Williams is the sole manager. Ms. Williams disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of her actual pecuniary interest therein. Shares held by a limited liability company of which Ms. Slavik Williams is the sole manager. The membership interests are held for the benefit of her children. 1-for-1 The deferred stock units are expected to settle in shares of common stock on a one-for-one basis following end of service as a director. The reporting person received deferred stock units in lieu of cash compensation for service on the board of directors.
Deferred stock units granted 112 units at $1,160.14 Deferred stock units grant on April 29, 2026
Additional deferred stock units granted 176 units Deferred stock units grant on April 29, 2026
Deferred stock units balance (line 1) 2,464 units Total deferred stock units after grant
Deferred stock units balance (line 2) 2,352 units Total deferred stock units after grant
Direct common shares 8,342 shares Common stock held directly after reported transactions
Indirect LLC holding 1,528,585 shares Common stock held indirectly by LLC associated with Williams
Indirect trust holding 852,158 shares Common stock held indirectly in trust for family beneficiaries
Additional trust holding 200,314 shares Common stock held indirectly in another family trust
Deferred Stock Units financial
"The deferred stock units are expected to settle in shares of common stock on a one-for-one basis"
Deferred stock units are promises from a company to give an employee shares of stock at a future date, often after certain conditions are met or after leaving the company. They function like a form of delayed compensation, allowing employees to earn shares over time. For investors, they represent potential future ownership in the company, but do not provide immediate voting rights or dividends until the shares are actually received.
beneficial ownership financial
"She disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of her actual pecuniary interest"
Beneficial ownership means the person or entity that actually enjoys the benefits of owning shares or other assets — such as receiving dividends, voting rights, or price gains — even if the legal title is held in another name. For investors it matters because knowing who truly controls and profits from a company reveals who can influence decisions, exposes potential conflicts of interest or hidden concentration of power, and affects transparency and risk in the stock.
pecuniary interest financial
"She disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of her actual pecuniary interest in such shares"
trustee financial
"Shares held in a trust for which Ms. Slavik Williams serves as trustee"
A trustee is a person or institution legally appointed to hold and manage assets or enforce an agreement on behalf of other people (beneficiaries). Think of a trustee as a neutral referee or custodian who must act in the beneficiaries’ best interests, follow the trust or contract rules, and handle distributions, recordkeeping and enforcement. Investors care because a trustworthy trustee protects their rights, ensures promised payments or remedies are delivered, and can influence recoveries if things go wrong.
limited liability company financial
"Shares held by a limited liability company of which Ms. Slavik Williams is the sole manager"
A limited liability company (LLC) is a business structure that separates the owners’ personal assets from the company’s debts and legal obligations, like a protective shield that keeps personal savings and property distinct from business risk. For investors, that protection reduces personal financial exposure and often brings flexible rules for profit sharing and taxes, but it can also affect how easily interests are bought or sold and how decisions are made.
one-for-one financial
"The deferred stock units are expected to settle in shares of common stock on a one-for-one basis"
SEC Form 4
FORM 4UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
OMB APPROVAL
OMB Number:3235-0287
Estimated average burden
hours per response:0.5
Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).
Check this box to indicate that a transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c). See Instruction 10.
1. Name and Address of Reporting Person*
Williams Susan Slavik

(Last)(First)(Middle)
100 GRAINGER PARKWAY

(Street)
LAKE FOREST ILLINOIS 60045

(City)(State)(Zip)

UNITED STATES

(Country)
2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
W.W. GRAINGER, INC. [ GWW ]
5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)
XDirector10% Owner
Officer (give title below)Other (specify below)
2a. Foreign Trading Symbol
3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
04/29/2026
6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)
XForm filed by One Reporting Person
Form filed by More than One Reporting Person
4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3) 2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed Of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4) 6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
CodeVAmount(A) or (D)Price
Common Stock8,342D
Common Stock5,132IIn Trust(1)
Common Stock48,939IIn Trust(2)
Common Stock200,314IIn Trust(2)
Common Stock572IIn Trust(3)
Common Stock852,158IIn Trust(4)
Common Stock1,528,585IBy LLC(5)
Common Stock150,000IBy LLC(6)
Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
(e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3) 2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security 3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year)7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 3 and 4) 8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5) 9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4) 10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
CodeV(A)(D)Date ExercisableExpiration DateTitleAmount or Number of Shares
Deferred Stock Units(7)04/29/2026A176 (8) (8)Common Stock176$02,352D
Deferred Stock Units(7)04/29/2026A(9)112 (8) (8)Common Stock112$1,160.142,464D
Explanation of Responses:
1. Shares held in a trust for which Ms. Slavik Williams serves as trustee and she and her immediate family are beneficiaries. She disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of her actual pecuniary interest in such shares.
2. Shares held in trusts for which Ms. Slavik Williams serves as trustee and is the sole beneficiary.
3. Shares held in a trust for which Ms. Slavik Williams' husband serves as trustee and her immediate family are beneficiaries. Ms. Slavik Williams disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.
4. Shares held in a trust for which Ms. Slavik Williams' husband serves as trustee and her immediate family are beneficiaries. Ms. Slavik Williams disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.
5. Shares held by a limited liability company of which Ms. Slavik Williams is the sole manager. Ms. Williams disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of her actual pecuniary interest therein.
6. Shares held by a limited liability company of which Ms. Slavik Williams is the sole manager. The membership interests are held for the benefit of her children.
7. 1-for-1
8. The deferred stock units are expected to settle in shares of common stock on a one-for-one basis following end of service as a director.
9. The reporting person received deferred stock units in lieu of cash compensation for service on the board of directors.
Remarks:
/s/ Cherita Thomas, by POA from Susan Slavik Williams, Director05/01/2026
** Signature of Reporting PersonDate
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4 (b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure.
Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB Number.
* Form 4: SEC 1474 (03-26)

FAQ

What insider transactions did W.W. Grainger (GWW) director Susan Slavik Williams report?

Susan Slavik Williams reported two equity compensation grants. She received 112 deferred stock units at $1,160.14 per unit and 176 additional deferred stock units, both tied one-for-one to common shares and settling after her board service ends.

How many deferred stock units does Susan Slavik Williams hold in W.W. Grainger (GWW)?

After the latest grants, Susan Slavik Williams holds 2,464 deferred stock units from one award line and 2,352 deferred stock units from another. Each unit is expected to settle into one share of W.W. Grainger common stock after she leaves the board.

Does Susan Slavik Williams buy or sell W.W. Grainger (GWW) stock in this Form 4?

The Form 4 shows compensation-related acquisitions only. Williams received deferred stock units in lieu of cash for board service, with no open-market purchases or sales reported. Most other entries simply update indirect holdings in trusts and LLCs associated with her family.

How many W.W. Grainger (GWW) common shares does Susan Slavik Williams hold directly?

The filing reports 8,342 W.W. Grainger common shares held directly by Susan Slavik Williams. Additional large blocks of common stock are held indirectly through family trusts and limited liability companies, some of which she specifically disclaims beneficial ownership of beyond her pecuniary interest.

How are Susan Slavik Williams’ indirect W.W. Grainger (GWW) holdings structured?

Indirect holdings are maintained through several family trusts and limited liability companies. In many cases she serves as trustee or sole manager, while footnotes clarify that shares are held for her immediate family or children and that she disclaims full beneficial ownership except for her pecuniary interest.