GRACO INC

Working Capital. The following table highlights several key measures of asset performance (dollars in millions):

Lower cash and cash equivalent balances primarily drove decreases in working capital in 2025, in addition to increases in trade accounts payable and sales and earnings-based accruals. Changes in receivables were consistent with higher sales levels. Reductions to inventory levels in 2025 as the result of an inventory reduction program were offset by the effect of acquired inventory on working capital, but improved inventory turnover in 2025. The current ratio decreased in 2025 in line with the changes in working capital.

Capital Structure. At December 26, 2025, the Company’s capital structure included current notes payable of $23 million and shareholders’ equity of $2,654 million. At December 27, 2024, the Company’s capital structure included current notes payable of $29 million and shareholders’ equity of $2,584 million.

Shareholders’ equity increased by $70 million in 2025. The increase provided by current year earnings of $522 million was primarily offset by dividends of $185 million and share repurchases of $423 million. Other increases in shareholders' equity included share issuances, stock compensation and other comprehensive income of $157 million.

Liquidity and Capital Resources. The Company evaluates liquidity as its ability to generate cash to fund its operating, investing and financing activities. Historically the Company has funded cash requirements for working capital, capital expenditures, businesses acquisitions, repayment of debt obligations, retirement plans, dividends, and common stock repurchases, all as applicable, through cash provided by its operations. The Company's other primary source of liquidity includes funds available through various debt financing arrangements.

As of December 26, 2025, the Company had available liquidity of $1,401 million, including cash held in deposit accounts of $624 million, of which $192 million was held outside of the U.S., and available credit under existing committed credit facilities of $777 million.

Internally generated funds and unused financing sources are expected to provide the Company with the flexibility to meet its liquidity needs in 2026, including its capital expenditure plan of approximately $100 million, planned dividends estimated at $195 million, share repurchases and acquisitions. If acquisition opportunities increase, the Company believes that reasonable financing alternatives are available for the Company to execute on those opportunities. The Company has no significant off-balance sheet debt or other unrecorded obligations. The Company believes it has the ability to meet its long-term cash requirements by using available cash and internally generated funds and to borrow under its committed and uncommitted credit facilities.

In December 2025, the Board of Directors increased the Company’s regular quarterly dividend from $0.275 to $0.295 per share, an increase of 7 percent.

Cash Flow. A summary of cash flow follows (in millions):

Cash Flows From Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities was $684 million in 2025, up $62 million compared to 2024, due primarily to higher net earnings. Fewer inventory purchases in 2025 as part of an inventory reduction program, as well as other decreases in working capital further contributed to the increase in cash provided by operating activities.

Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities. Cash flows used in investing activities totaled $173 million in 2025, including $135 million for business acquisitions and $46 million for capital additions. Cash flows used in investing activities totaled $343 million in 2024, including $242 million for business acquisitions and $107 million for capital additions.

Cash Flows Used in Financing Activities. Cash flows used in financing activities totaled $576 million in 2025 and included dividends of $183 million and share repurchases of $423 million, partially offset by net proceeds from share issuances of $37 million. Cash flows used in financing activities totaled $140 million in 2024 and included dividends of $172 million and share repurchases of $31 million, partially offset by net proceeds from share issuances of $66 million.

On December 7, 2018, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to 18 million shares of common stock, primarily through open market transactions. On December 5, 2025, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to purchase up to an additional 15 million shares of its outstanding stock. The authorizations are for an indefinite period of time or until terminated by the Board. As of December 26, 2025, approximately 23 million shares remain available for purchase under the authorization.

The Company repurchased and retired 5.2 million shares in 2025, 0.4 million shares in 2024 and 1.4 million shares in 2023. The Company has made and may continue to make opportunistic share repurchases in 2026 via open market transactions or short-dated accelerated share repurchase programs.