Graco Inc. (GGG) reported $539.67 million in revenue for the quarter ended September 2023, representing a year-over-year decline of 1.1%. EPS of $0.76 for the same period compares to $0.66 a year ago.

The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $558.51 million, representing a surprise of -3.37%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +4.11%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $0.73.

While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.

Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.

Here is how Graco Inc. performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

• Net Sales- Industrial: $157.08 million compared to the $165.46 million average estimate based on five analysts. The reported number represents a change of +0.6% year over year.

• Net Sales- Process: $137.32 million versus $136.97 million estimated by five analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +9.5% change.

• Net Sales- Contractor: $245.27 million versus the five-analyst average estimate of $257.78 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of -7.1%.

• Operating earnings /(loss)- Industrial: $54.30 million versus $57.76 million estimated by five analysts on average.

• Operating earnings /(loss)- Unallocated corporate (expense): -$8.42 million compared to the -$6.88 million average estimate based on five analysts.

• Operating earnings /(loss)- Contractor: $73.51 million versus $67.92 million estimated by five analysts on average.

• Operating earnings /(loss)- Process: $43 million compared to the $41.43 million average estimate based on five analysts.

View all Key Company Metrics for Graco Inc. here>>>

Shares of Graco Inc. have returned -1.9% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -1.6% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

Graco Inc. (GGG) : Free Stock Analysis Report