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Ferguson plc (FERG)
:FERG

Ferguson PLC (FERG) AI Stock Analysis

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Ferguson PLC

(LSE:FERG)

74Outperform
Ferguson PLC maintains a strong financial position with robust profitability and efficient equity utilization. The stock faces challenges from moderate revenue growth and reliance on debt, while technical indicators suggest bearish momentum. The valuation is fair, and despite mixed earnings results, strategic initiatives and a new credit facility support a positive outlook.
Positive Factors
Growth Initiatives
Investments in people, product and expansion are well underway, and FERG has completed >500 counter conversions, and ahead of schedule to complete >650 dual trade counters in fiscal 2026.
Market Position
FERG is the largest distributor in our coverage, generating ~$30bn in sales across a variety of North American residential and non-residential construction markets.
Negative Factors
Deflation Impact
Gross margins decline of 70bps is due to still operating in a down market, persistent deflation, and some mix pressure from stronger growth in HVAC/Waterworks.
Demand Environment
Management commentary pointed to a more muted demand environment in both residential and commercial sectors.
Margins Pressure
Margins are expected to decline to ~8.5% in FY25, vs. the prior high of 10.3% in FY22, as commodity products deflation and weak demand continue to hinder operating leverage.

Ferguson PLC (FERG) vs. S&P 500 (SPY)

Ferguson PLC Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionFerguson PLC (FERG) is a leading distributor of plumbing and heating products, primarily serving the North American market. The company specializes in providing infrastructure, commercial, and residential solutions through a wide range of products including faucets, pipes, valves, fittings, and water heaters. Ferguson operates through a network of branches and e-commerce platforms, catering to professional contractors, trade professionals, and consumers.
How the Company Makes MoneyFerguson PLC generates revenue primarily through the sale and distribution of plumbing and heating products. The company operates a multi-channel distribution model that includes a vast network of local branches, online platforms, and direct sales teams, enabling it to reach a wide customer base. Revenue streams are bolstered by strategic partnerships with manufacturers and suppliers, allowing Ferguson to offer an extensive catalog of branded and private-label products. Additionally, the company benefits from providing value-added services such as installation and maintenance support, further enhancing its earnings potential.

Ferguson PLC Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Ferguson PLC exhibits strong financial health with robust profitability margins and efficient equity utilization. The balance sheet shows prudent leverage, although the reliance on debt may pose risks in unfavorable market conditions. Cash flows are strong, providing a solid base despite some recent fluctuations. Overall, the company is financially stable but should focus on improving revenue growth and managing debt levels.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Ferguson PLC demonstrates robust profitability metrics with a strong Gross Profit Margin of 30.07% and a solid EBIT Margin of 8.44% for TTM. While the Net Profit Margin is healthy at 5.49%, the company has experienced moderate revenue growth, with a TTM revenue growth rate of 0.89%. These figures indicate stable profitability and efficient cost management, though the growth rate suggests a period of stabilizing or slowing top-line growth.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
The balance sheet of Ferguson PLC reflects a moderate debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10, indicating balanced leverage. The Return on Equity is strong at 29.87%, suggesting efficient use of equity to generate profits. However, the equity ratio of 33.19% indicates that a significant portion of the company's assets is financed through debt, which may present some financial risk in the case of market downturns.
Cash Flow
82
Very Positive
Ferguson PLC shows strong cash flow performance, with a reasonable Operating Cash Flow to Net Income ratio of 1.03 and a solid Free Cash Flow to Net Income ratio of 0.83. The company also reported a positive Free Cash Flow Growth Rate of -9.63% for TTM, suggesting some volatility in cash flow generation, but overall, the company maintains healthy cash flow management.
Breakdown
TTMSep 2024Sep 2023Sep 2022Sep 2021Sep 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
29.90B29.64B29.73B28.57B22.79B21.82B
Gross Profit
8.99B9.05B9.03B8.76B6.98B6.42B
EBIT
2.52B2.65B2.66B2.82B2.03B1.42B
EBITDA
2.87B2.98B3.10B3.12B2.25B1.98B
Net Income Common Stockholders
1.64B1.74B1.89B2.12B1.47B961.00M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
764.00M571.00M601.00M771.00M1.33B2.12B
Total Assets
16.53B16.57B15.99B15.66B13.48B13.46B
Total Debt
6.02B5.52B4.84B5.45B3.80B4.52B
Net Debt
5.26B4.95B4.24B4.68B2.47B2.41B
Total Liabilities
11.04B10.96B10.96B11.00B8.68B9.09B
Stockholders Equity
5.49B5.62B5.04B4.67B4.81B4.37B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
1.36B1.50B2.28B859.00M1.29B1.57B
Operating Cash Flow
1.69B1.87B2.72B1.15B1.54B1.87B
Investing Cash Flow
-561.78M-601.00M-1.05B-922.00M-172.00M-606.00M
Financing Cash Flow
-1.00B-1.31B-1.81B-744.00M-2.08B-485.00M

Ferguson PLC Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price164.73
Price Trends
50DMA
168.66
Negative
100DMA
178.40
Negative
200DMA
188.69
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-2.91
Negative
RSI
40.09
Neutral
STOCH
32.00
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For FERG, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 164.73 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 161.07, below the 50-day MA of 168.66, and below the 200-day MA of 188.69, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -2.91 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 40.09 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 32.00 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for FERG.

Ferguson PLC Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (62)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
WSWSO
78
Outperform
$20.17B37.5320.39%2.12%4.59%-2.05%
CNCNM
78
Outperform
$9.53B22.9226.10%11.03%-0.85%
77
Outperform
$46.24B40.2232.35%1.98%3.08%-0.76%
AIAIT
74
Outperform
$8.47B22.3422.70%0.69%0.37%3.52%
74
Outperform
$32.73B20.2729.63%2.08%1.84%-5.54%
GWGWW
71
Outperform
$46.28B24.6658.98%0.82%4.19%6.60%
62
Neutral
$7.62B13.013.19%3.32%3.77%-14.28%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
FERG
Ferguson PLC
164.73
-46.54
-22.03%
AIT
Applied Industrial Technologies
225.79
37.85
20.14%
FAST
Fastenal Company
80.64
12.79
18.85%
GWW
WW Grainger
994.00
46.14
4.87%
WSO
Watsco
508.93
103.21
25.44%
CNM
Core & Main
48.75
-6.41
-11.62%

Ferguson PLC Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date: Mar 11, 2025 | % Change Since: <0.01% | Next Earnings Date: Jun 3, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call reflects a mixed performance. While there are significant achievements in sales growth and strategic investments in areas like HVAC and Waterworks, the company faces challenges from persistent commodity deflation, a subdued residential market, and declining profit margins. The sentiment is balanced with the company's confidence in future growth, supported by share repurchase programs and strategic initiatives.
Highlights
Sales Growth Amid Deflation
Sales reached $6.9 billion, a 3% increase from the previous year, despite a 2% deflation in commodities.
Strong Performance in HVAC and Waterworks
HVAC sales increased by 17% and Waterworks revenue grew by 10%, reflecting strategic investments and market share gains.
Share Repurchase Authorization Increase
The company increased its share repurchase program by $1 billion, demonstrating confidence in its business fundamentals.
Non-Residential Market Resilience
Non-residential revenue grew by 4% with particular strength in civil infrastructure projects.
Lowlights
Persistent Commodity-Led Deflation
Deflation in commodities, particularly steel and PVC, continues to pressure margins, lasting longer than anticipated.
Decline in Operating Profit and Margins
Adjusted operating profit fell by $71 million to $449 million, with a 70 basis point decrease in gross margin to 29.7%.
Challenging Residential Market
The residential market remains subdued, with only a 2% growth in revenues due to headwinds in new construction and price deflation.
Earnings Per Share Decline
Adjusted diluted earnings per share decreased by 12.6% compared to last year, reflecting lower operating profit.
Company Guidance
During Ferguson's second quarter conference call, the company reported a 3% year-over-year increase in sales, reaching $6.9 billion, despite facing a 2% deflation in commodity prices. The adjusted operating profit was $449 million, with a 6.5% adjusted operating margin, down from last year's $71 million. Ferguson's performance varied by market segment, with the U.S. net sales up 3%, driven by a 2% organic increase and 1% from acquisitions. The residential market saw a 2% growth, while non-residential experienced a 4% rise. Notably, HVAC sales surged by 17%, and Waterworks revenues rose by 10%. The company also revised its fiscal 2025 guidance, maintaining a low single-digit sales growth outlook and adjusting its operating margin expectations to 8.3%-8.8%, reflecting the impact of ongoing deflation and subdued market conditions.

Ferguson PLC Corporate Events

Private Placements and Financing
Ferguson PLC Secures New $1.5 Billion Credit Facility
Positive
Apr 3, 2025

On April 2, 2025, Ferguson Enterprises Inc. entered into a new revolving credit agreement with Ferguson UK Holdings Limited and other parties, establishing a $1.5 billion unsecured credit facility maturing in 2030. This agreement allows for potential increases up to an additional $500 million depending on lender commitments and includes various interest rate options and covenants. Concurrently, Ferguson terminated its previous $1.35 billion multicurrency revolving facility, with no outstanding borrowings at the time of termination.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.