UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

            Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934



For the quarterly period ended September 27, 1996

Commission File Number:  1-9249


                                   GRACO INC.
              ------------------------------------------------------
              (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
           


        Minnesota                                      41-0285640
- ------------------------                 ---------------------------------------
(State of incorporation)                 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)


     4050 Olson Memorial Highway
      Golden Valley, Minnesota                                            55422
- ----------------------------------------                              ----------
(Address of principal executive offices)                              (Zip Code)


                                 (612) 623-6000
              ----------------------------------------------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months,  and (2) has been subject to such filing  requirements
for the past 90 days.


                                    Yes     X         No
                                         -------          -------

            17,099,116 common shares were outstanding as of October 25, 1996.





                               GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                          INDEX



                                                                    Page Number
                                                                    -----------

PART I   FINANCIAL INFORMATION


         Item 1.  Financial Statements

                     Consolidated Statements of Earnings                      3
                     Consolidated Balance Sheets                              4
                     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                    5
                     Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements               6


         Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis
                     of Financial Condition and
                     Results of Operations                                  7-8



PART II  OTHER INFORMATION


         Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                            9


         SIGNATURES  10

         Sixth Amendment dated September 27, 1996
            to Credit Agreement between the Company and
            First Bank National Association                          Exhibit  4
         Computation of Net Earnings per Common Share                Exhibit 11
         Financial Data Schedule                                     Exhibit 27










                                            2




PART I GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Item I. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (Unaudited) Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended -------------------- ----------------------- Sept. 27, 1996 Sept. 29, 1995 Sept. 27, 1996 Sept. 29, 1995 -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- (In thousands except per share amounts) Net sales ..................................... $ 97,680 $ 94,797 $ 284,932 $ 293,726 Cost of products sold ................... 47,704 48,510 140,697 149,497 --------- --------- --------- --------- Gross profit .................................. 49,976 46,287 144,235 144,229 Product development ..................... 4,714 3,557 13,566 11,419 Selling ................................. 21,624 21,982 62,714 65,740 General and administrative .............. 8,316 10,263 29,996 32,345 --------- --------- --------- --------- Operating profit .............................. 15,322 10,485 37,959 34,725 Interest expense ........................ 155 596 732 2,025 Other expense, net ...................... 310 220 (447) 563 --------- --------- --------- --------- Earnings before income taxes .................. 14,857 9,669 37,674 32,137 Income taxes ............................ 4,700 3,100 11,900 11,600 --------- --------- --------- --------- Net earnings .................................. $ 10,157 $ 6,569 $ 25,774 $ 20,537 ========= ========= ========= ========= Net earnings per common and common equivalent share ................. $ .58 $ .37 $ 1.47 $ 1.18 ========= ========= ========= ========= Cash dividend declared per common share ............................ $ .12 $ .11 $ .36 $ .32 ========= ========= ========= ========= See notes to consolidated financial statements.
3
GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In Thousands) September 27, 1996 December 29, 1995 ------------------ ----------------- (Unaudited) ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents ............................................ $ 7,401 $ 1,643 Accounts receivable, less allowances of $5,181 and $4,856 .............................................. 76,744 73,205 Inventories .......................................................... 48,319 41,693 Deferred income taxes ................................................ 10,609 10,608 Other current assets ................................................. 1,946 1,333 --------- --------- Total current assets ........................................... 145,019 128,482 Property, plant and equipment: Cost ................................................................. 173,423 156,168 Less Accumulated Depreciation ........................................ (87,586) (79,310) --------- --------- 85,837 76,858 Other assets ............................................................... 8,883 12,493 --------- --------- $ 239,739 $ 217,833 ========= ========= LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Notes payable to banks ............................................... $ 4,712 $ 5,051 Current portion of long-term debt .................................... 1,865 1,935 Trade accounts payable ............................................... 13,164 13,849 Customer advances .................................................... 4,963 803 Dividends payable .................................................... 2,053 2,072 Income taxes payable ................................................. 3,797 4,229 Other current liabilities ............................................ 48,559 43,644 --------- --------- Total current liabilities ...................................... 79,113 71,583 Long-term debt, less current portion above ................................. 8,911 10,074 Retirement benefits and deferred compensation .............................. 32,917 32,605 Shareholders' equity: Common stock ......................................................... 17,092 17,265 Additional paid-in capital ........................................... 16,102 20,397 Retained earnings .................................................... 84,451 64,949 Other, net ........................................................... 1,153 960 --------- --------- $ 239,739 $ 217,833 ========= ========= See notes to consolidated financial statements.
4
GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) Thirty-Nine Weeks ----------------- Sept. 27, 1996 Sept. 29, 1995 -------------- -------------- (In thousands) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net Earnings ................................................................. $ 25,774 $ 20,537 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization .......................................... 9,633 9,251 Deferred income taxes .................................................. 2,318 1,186 Change in: Accounts receivable .................................................. (3,182) 2,733 Inventories .......................................................... (7,147) 1,241 Trade accounts payable ............................................... (380) (4,954) Retirement benefits and deferred compensation ........................................................ 564 2,659 Other accrued liabilities ............................................ 6,813 (3,191) Other ................................................................ 350 821 --------- --------- 34,743 30,283 --------- --------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Property, plant and equipment additions ................................... (18,681) (16,546) Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment ........................................................ 62 151 --------- --------- (18,619) (16,395) --------- --------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Borrowing on notes payable and lines of credit ............................ 13,932 111,279 Payments on notes payable and lines of credit ............................. (13,957) (120,794) Borrowing on long-term debt ............................................... 198 -- Payments on long-term debt ................................................ (1,347) (613) Common stock issued ....................................................... 2,352 2,234 Retirement of common and preferred stock .................................. (6,819) -- Cash dividends paid ....................................................... (6,293) (5,625) --------- --------- (11,934) (13,519) --------- --------- Effect of exchange rate changes on cash ...................................... 1,568 (2,164) --------- --------- Net increase(decrease)in cash and cash equivalents ........................... 5,758 (1,795) Cash and cash equivalents: Beginning of year ......................................................... 1,643 2,444 --------- --------- End of period ............................................................. $ 7,401 $ 649 ========= ========= See notes to consolidated financial statements.
5 GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) 1. The consolidated balance sheet of Graco Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of September 27, 1996 and the related statements of earnings and cash flows for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 1996, and September 29, 1995, have been prepared by the Company without being audited. In the opinion of management, these consolidated statements reflect all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of Graco Inc. and Subsidiaries as of September 27, 1996, and the results of operations and cash flows for all periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. Therefore, these statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's 1995 Form 10-K. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results which will be realized for the full fiscal year. 2. Major components of inventories were as follows (in thousands): Sept. 27, 1996 Dec. 29, 1995 -------------- ------------- Finished products and components $45,497 $40,335 Products and components in various stages of completion 27,248 22,597 Raw materials 12,188 13,152 ------------ ------------ 84,933 76,084 Reduction to LIFO cost (36,614) (34,391) ------------ ------------ $48,319 $41,693 ============ ============ 6 Item 2. GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Results of Operations - --------------------- Net earnings of $10.2 million for the quarter ended September 27, 1996 increased $3.6 million, or 55 percent, over the same period last year. Net earnings of $25.8 million for the nine months ended September 27, 1996 increased $5.2 million, or 26 percent, over the first nine months of 1995. The earnings improvement came primarily as a result of improved gross margin, reduced operating expenses, a $1.5 million pretax settlement of a lawsuit involving an escrow deposit dating back to 1986, lower interest expense resulting from lower debt balances, and a lower effective tax rate. Sales for the quarter of $97.7 million were $2.9 million, or 3 percent higher, than the third quarter of 1995. The increase in quarterly sales occurred primarily in the Americas. Year-to-date sales of $284.9 million were $8.8 million, or 3 percent, lower than 1995. The decline in year-to-date sales can be attributed primarily to economic softness in the international markets and currency fluctuations. Sales in the Americas of $62.0 million for the quarter were 8 percent higher than 1995. Year-to-date sales of $187.9 million were 1 percent higher. European sales continue to lag behind last year with quarterly and year-to-date sales of $21.7 million and $54.6 million, respectively. Europe's third quarter sales were equal to 1995's level (a 4 percent volume increase, offset by a 4 percent loss due to exchange rates). Year-to-date European sales are 7 percent lower than 1995 (a 6 percent volume decease, and a 1 percent loss due to exchange rates). In Asia Pacific, sales decreased 12 percent from last year's third quarter to $13.9 million (a 2 percent volume decease, and a 10 percent loss due to exchange rates). For the nine month period ended September 27, 1996, Asia Pacific sales of $42.4 million were 12 percent lower than 1995 (a 5 percent volume decrease, and a 7 percent loss due to exchange rates). While many of the markets the Company serves were slow in the first half of 1996, the Company is encouraged by the somewhat improved levels of business activity during the third quarter. Worldwide, Industrial/Automotive Equipment sales improved 3 percent to $56.2 million from last year's third quarter, Contractor Equipment sales improved 4 percent to $30.6 million, and Lubrication Equipment sales improved 2 percent to $10.9 million. For 1996's first nine months, Industrial/Automotive Equipment sales of $156.1 million were 6 percent lower than the same period last year, Contractor Equipment sales of $96.6 million were at the 1995 level, and Lubrication Equipment sales of $32.2 million were 5 percent higher than 1995. The gross profit margin percentage for both the quarter and year-to-date increased 2 percentage points over a year ago to 51 percent. The increase can be attributed to improved pricing in the Americas and Europe, manufacturing volume and efficiencies. Operating expenses of $34.7 million for the quarter and $106.3 million for the first nine months are both 3 percent lower than the same periods last year. While investments in product development and marketing reached record levels, close control of selling and general and administrative costs have kept operating expenses below 1995 levels. 7 Interest expense of $0.2 million is $0.4 million, or 74 percent, lower than the third quarter of 1995. Year-to-date interest expense of $0.7 million is $1.3 million, or 64 percent lower. The decreases in interest expense result from lower debt balances at September 27, 1996 as compared to September 29, 1995. The effective tax rate for both the quarter and the nine month period ended September 27, 1996 of 32 percent is 4 percentage points lower than the year-to-date rate for 1995. The decline in the effective tax rate in 1996 results from lower effective tax rates on foreign earnings. The Company expects a higher effective tax rate in 1997. The Company's backlog of $33.0 million is nearly $10.0 million higher than the level a year ago and the current rate of incoming orders provides the Company with reason to be cautiously optimistic about a solid fourth quarter. The earnings momentum and modestly improved sales activity achieved by the Company across all divisions gives it added confidence that its investments in new products, technology, globalization, and world-class manufacturing are having a significant impact on the Company's long-term ability to grow profitably. Liquidity and Capital Resources - ------------------------------- The Company generated cash from operations of $34.7 million for the first nine months of 1996 as compared to $30.3 million for the same period last year. Significant uses of cash include increases in inventory balances in anticipation of a November factory move to a new facility as discussed below, purchases of property, plant and equipment, payments of cash dividends, and repurchases of common stock. Working capital increased $9.0 million to $65.9 million from $56.9 million at December 29, 1995. The Company plans on spending approximately $17.0 million in 1996 ($8.5 million to date) for the construction of a 325,000 square foot world-class manufacturing facility and global distribution center in Rogers, Minnesota (approximately 20 miles northwest of Minneapolis). This expenditure will be funded primarily with cash generated through operations. The Company has unused lines of credit available at September 27, 1996 totaling $70.1 million. 8 PART II Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K (a) Exhibits Sixth Amendment dated September 27, 1996 to Credit Agreement between the Company and First Bank National Association Exhibit 4 Statement on Computation Exhibit 11 of Per Share Earnings Financial Data Schedule Exhibit 27 (b) No reports on Form 8-K have been filed during the quarter for which this report is filed. 9 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. GRACO INC. Date: November 4, 1996 By:/S/George Aristides ------------------- George Aristides President and Chief Executive Officer Date: November 4, 1996 By:/S/David M. Lowe ------------------- David M. Lowe Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer) 10

                       SIXTH AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

     THIS SIXTH  AMENDMENT  (this  "Amendment")  dated as of September 27, 1996,
amends and modifies that certain Credit Agreement,  dated as of October 1, 1990,
as amended pursuant to Amendments dated as of June 12, 1992,  December 31, 1992,
November  8, 1993,  February 8, 1994,  and April 10,  1995 (as so  amended,  the
"Credit Agreement"), between GRACO INC., a Minnesota corporation (the "Company")
and FIRST BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (the "Bank").  Terms not otherwise expressly
defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.

     FOR  VALUE  RECEIVED,  the  Company  and the Bank  agree  that  the  Credit
Agreement is amended as follows:

                 ARTICLE 1 - AMENDMENTS TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT

     1.1 Defined Terms. Section 1.01 is amended as follows:

     (a) The definition of "Applicable Margin" is amended to read as follows:

               "'Applicable Margin': For each CD loan shall mean 0.75%, for each
          Reference Rate Loan shall mean 0% and for each Eurocurrency loan shall
          mean 0.625%."

     (b) The definition of "Maturity Date" is amended to read as follows:

               "'Maturity Date': June 30, 1997."

     (c) The following new definition are added:

               "'EBIT':  for  any  period  of  determination,  Consolidated  Net
          Earnings of the  Company and its  Subsidiaries  before  provision  for
          income taxes and Interest  Expenses,  all as  determined in accordance
          with generally accepted accounting principles, excluding therefrom (to
          the extent included during any period) the net total of the following,
          to the extent that such net total is less than or equal to $2,000,000:
          (a) non-operating  (including,  without limitations,  extraordinary or
          nonrecurring  gains, gains from discontinuance of operations and gains
          arising  from the sale of assets  other  than  inventory)  during  the
          applicable  period; and (b) similar  non-operating  losses during such
          period."

               "'EBITDA':  for any period of  determination,  EBIT,  plus to the
          extent  deducted  in  Consolidated  Net  Earnings,   depreciation  and
          amortization."

               "'Interest-bearing     Indebtedness':     all    interest-bearing
          indebtedness of the Company and its  Subsidiaries  for borrowed money,
          determined in accordance generally accepted accounting principles."

               "'Interest  Expense'"  for  any  period  of  determination,   all
          interest  accrued on indebtedness of the Company and its  Subsidiaries
          determined   in  accordance   with   generally   accepted   accounting
          principals,  including without limitation implicit interest expense on
          capitalized leases."

     1.2 Deleted Sections. The following Sections are amended to read as follows
(and definitions only used in such Sections shall be deemed deleted):

               "7.11 Intentionally omitted."

               "7.12 Intentionally omitted."

               "7.15 Intentionally omitted."

               "7.16 Intentionally omitted."

     1.3  Consolidated  Tangible  Net Worth.  Section 7.13 is amended to read as
follows:

               "7.13  Consolidated  Tangible  Net Worth.  Not at any time permit
          Consolidated  Tangible Net Worth to be less than  $75,000,000 plus 50%
          of Consolidated Net Earnings after December 31, 1995."

     1.4 Leverage Ratio. Section 7.14 is amended to read as follows:

               "7.14 Leverage  Ratio.  Not permit the ratio of  Interest-bearing
          Indebtedness  as of the last day of any  fiscal  quarter to EBITDA for
          the period of four consecutive  fiscal quarters then ending to be more
          than 2.5 to 1.00."

     1.5 Interest  Coverage Ratio.  New Section 7.18 is added following  Section
7.17 and shall read as follows:

               "7.18 Interest  Coverage  Ratio.  Not permit the ratio of EBIT to
          Interest  Expense,  each measured for each period of four  consecutive
          fiscal quarters, to be less than 4.00 to 1.00."

     1.6 Exhibit G.  Exhibit G to the Credit  Agreement is replaced by Exhibit G
attached to this Amendment.

     1.7 Note.  The Loans shall continue to be evidenced by Note dated April 10,
1995 in the principal amount of $25,000,000.

     1.8  Construction.   All  references  in  the  Credit  Agreement  to  "this
Agreement",  "herein"  and  similar  references  shall be deemed to refer to the
Credit Agreement as amended by this Amendment.


                               ARTICLE II - WAIVER

     The  Borrower  has  informed  the Bank that with respect to its fiscal year
ended  December 31, 1995, it may not have  complied  with certain  provisions of
ERISA,  as required by Section  7.17 of the Credit  Agreement.  The Borrower has
requested  that the Bank waive such  failure to comply.  Effective  as  provided
below, the Bank waives the Borrower's compliance with Section 7.17 of the Credit
Agreement as applied to such fiscal year,  on the further  condition  that fines
and charges  resulting from any such  non-compliance  shall not exceed  $50,000.
Except as expressly  provided  herein,  all  provisions of the Credit  Agreement
remain in full force and effect and this waiver  shall not apply to any other or
subsequent  failure to comply with such  Section or any other  provision  of the
Credit Agreement.


                   ARTICLE II - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     To induce the Bank to enter into this  Amendment  and to make and  maintain
the Loans under the Credit  Agreement  as amended  hereby,  the  Company  hereby
warrants and  represents  to the Bank that it is duly  authorized to execute and
deliver  this  Amendment,  and to  perform  its  obligations  under  the  Credit
Agreement as amended  hereby,  and that this  Amendment  constitutes  the legal,
valid and binding obligation of the Company,  enforceable in accordance with its
terms.


                       ARTICLE III - CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     This  Agreement  shall become  effective on the date first set forth above,
provided,  however,  that the  effectiveness of this Amendment is subject to the
satisfaction of each of the following conditions precedent:

     3.1  Warranties.  Before and after  giving  effect to this  Amendment,  the
representations  and  warranties in Section 6 of the Credit  Agreement  shall be
true and correct as thought made on the date hereof, except for changes that are
permitted by the terms of the Credit Agreement.  The execution by the Company of
this Agreement  shall be deemed a  representation  that the Company has complied
with the foregoing condition.

     3.2 Defaults. Before and after giving effect to this Amendment, no Event of
Default and no Unmarred  Event of Default  shall have occurred and be continuing
under the Credit Agreement. The execution by the Company of this Agreement shall
be deemed a  representation  that the Company has  complied  with the  foregoing
condition.

     3.3  Documents.  The  Company  shall  have  delivered  this  Amendment  and
certified  copies  of  resolutions  of the  Board of  Directors  of the  Company
authorizing or ratifying the execution, delivery and performance,  respectively,
of this Amendment, together with an incumbency certificate of officers executing
this Amendment.


                              ARTICLE IV - GENERAL

     4.1 Expenses.  The Company agrees to reimburse the Bank upon demand for all
reasonable  expenses,  including  reasonable  fees  of  attorneys  (who  may  be
employees  of  the  Bank)  and  legal  expenses  incurred  by  the  Bank  in the
preparation,  negotiation and execution of this Amendment and any other document
required to be furnished  herewith,  and in  enforcing  the  obligations  of the
Company hereunder, and to pay and save the Bank harmless from all liability for,
any taxes which may be payable with respect to the execution or delivery of this
Agreement, which obligations of the Company shall survive any termination of the
Credit Agreement.

     4.2 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in as many counterparts as
may be deemed  necessary or convenient,  and by the different  parties hereto on
separate  counterparts,  each of  which,  when so  executed,  shall be deemed an
original  but all  such  counterparts  shall  constitute  but  one and the  same
instrument.

     4.3  Severability.  Any provision of this Amendment  which is prohibited or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective
to the extent of such prohibition of unenforceablility  without invalidating the
remaining  portions hereof or affecting the validity or  enforceability  of such
provisions in any other jurisdiction.

     4.4 Law.  This  Amendment  shall be a  contract  made under the laws of the
State of Minnesota, which laws shall govern all the rights and duties hereunder.

     4.5  Successors;  Enforceability.  This Amendment shall be binding upon the
Company and the Bank and their  respective  successors  and  assigns,  and shall
inure to the benefit of the Company and the Bank and the  successors and assigns
of the Bank. Except as hereby amended, the Credit Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect and is hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have caused this  Amendment to be
executed at Minneapolis,  Minnesota by their respective  officers thereunto duly
authorized as of the date first written above.





                                         GRACO INC.

                                         By:/S/David M. Lowe
                                            ------------------------
                                         Title:  Treasurer
                                        




                                         FIRST BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
                                         
                                         By:/S/Michael S. Harter
                                            ------------------------
                                         Title: Commercial Banking Officer




                                                                       EXHIBIT G


                                 SUBSIDIARIES OF
                                   GRACO INC.

                                                      Percentage of Voting
                                   Jurisdiction of    Securities Owned by
Subsidiary                          Incorporation         The Company
- ----------                          -------------     --------------------

Graco N.V.                            Belgium                100%

Graco Canada Incorporated             Canada                 100%

Graco Chile Limitada                  Chile                  100%

Graco Europe N.V.                     Belgium                100%

Graco Gmbh                            Germany                100%

Graco Hong Kong Limited               Hong Kong              100%

Graco K.K.                            Japan                  100%

Graco Korea Inc.                      Korea                  100%

Graco A.S.                            Norway                 100%

Graco S.A.                            France                 100%

Graco S.r.l.                          Italy                  100%

Graco Limited                         England                100%

Graco Barbados FSC Limited            Barbados               100%




EXHIBIT 11
GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES COMPUTATION OF NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Unaudited) Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-NineWeeks Ended -------------------- ---------------------- Sept. 27, 1996 Sept. 29, 1995 Sept. 27, 1996 Sept. 29, 1995 -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- (In thousands except per share amounts) Net earnings applicable to common stock: Net earnings ................................ $10,157 $ 6,569 $25,774 $20,537 Less dividends on preferred stock ........... -- 19 -- 56 ------- ------- ------- ------- $10,157 $ 6,550 $25,774 $20,481 ======= ======= ======= ======= Average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding: Average number of common shares outstanding ....................... 17,181 17,245 17,282 17,181 Dilutive effect of stock options computed on the treasury stock method ............................. 229 279 236 228 ------- ------- ------- ------- 17,410 17,524 17,518 17,409 ======= ======= ======= ======= Net earnings per common and common equivalent share .............. $ .58 $ .37 $ 1.47 $ 1.18 ======= ======= ======= ======= Primary and fully diluted earnings per share are substantially the same.
 


5 This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Graco Inc. and subsidiaries consoldiated statements of eaarnings and consolidated balance sheets for the quarterly period ending September 27, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. 0000042888 GRACO INC. 1,000 U.S. DOLLARS 9-MOS DEC-27-1996 JUN-29-1996 SEP-27-1996 1 7,401 0 76,744 5,181 48,319 145,019 173,423 87,586 239,739 79,113 10,776 0 0 17,092 101,706 239,739 284,932 284,932 140,697 140,697 106,561 155 732 37,674 11,900 25,774 0 0 0 25,774 1.47 1.47