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Watsco (WSO)
NYSE:WSO

Watsco (WSO) AI Stock Analysis

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Watsco

(NYSE:WSO)

Rating:70Outperform
Price Target:
$504.00
▲(16.67%Upside)
Watsco scores well in financial performance, with robust revenue growth and strong margins. The earnings call provided positive guidance, though technical indicators suggest bearish trends, and the high P/E ratio indicates potential overvaluation. Overall, while the company shows strong fundamentals, market and valuation concerns weigh on the stock score.
Positive Factors
Growth Potential
There is an M&A opportunity as HVAC and plumbing converge, indicating growth potential.
Sales and Market Position
WSO's scale and willingness to invest in technology-driven solutions to improve customer efficiency and profitability positions WSO for long-term share gains versus fragmented, regional competitors.
Negative Factors
Economic Conditions
Weak economies in Canada and Mexico and softer new home construction are identified as key issues affecting performance.
Market Challenges
Concerns on near-term residential HVAC demand create uncertainty for potential stock upside.

Watsco (WSO) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Watsco Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionWatsco, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, distributes air conditioning, heating, refrigeration equipment, and related parts and supplies. The company distributes equipment comprising residential ducted and ductless air conditioners, such as gas, electric, and oil furnaces; commercial air conditioning and heating equipment systems; and other specialized equipment. It also offers parts, including replacement compressors, evaporator coils, motors, and other component parts; and supplies, such as thermostats, insulation materials, refrigerants, ductworks, grills, registers, sheet metals, tools, copper tubing, concrete pads, tapes, adhesives, and other ancillary supplies, as well as plumbing and bathroom remodeling supplies. The company serves contractors and dealers that service the replacement and new construction markets for residential and light commercial central air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration systems. As of December 31, 2021, it operated from 671 locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, as well as exports its products to Latin America and the Caribbean Basin. Watsco, Inc. was founded in 1945 and is headquartered in Miami, Florida.
How the Company Makes MoneyWatsco makes money primarily through the distribution and sale of HVAC/R products. Its revenue model is based on purchasing HVAC/R equipment and parts from manufacturers and selling them to contractors and dealers who install and maintain these systems. Key revenue streams include the sale of air conditioning and heating equipment, refrigeration systems, and replacement parts. Watsco's extensive distribution network and strong relationships with leading manufacturers like Carrier, Goodman, and Trane enable it to offer a comprehensive portfolio of products. The company's earnings are further supported by its focus on value-added services, such as technical support and training for contractors, which help build customer loyalty and drive repeat business.

Watsco Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Apr 23, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: -14.14%|
Next Earnings Date:Aug 05, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call indicated a positive trajectory for Watsco with strong performance in core areas and financial health, though challenges with international sales and product transitions were noted.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Start to HVAC Replacement Business
Sales in replacement systems, the core of Watsco's business, increased by 10% due to higher volumes and a richer mix of high-efficiency systems.
Improved Gross Margins
Gross margins improved, which is an important benchmark following the launch of new systems. The company is working towards a goal of 30% gross profit margin.
Robust Financial Position
Watsco has $430 million in cash, no debt, and over $3 billion in equity. The annual dividend was raised by 11% to $12 per share.
Successful Product Transition
Transition to new A2L systems is underway, impacting 55% of total sales. The company has trained thousands of customers and updated technology platforms.
Negative Updates
Weak International Performance
International sales, which make up 9% of the total, showed greater uncertainty and were notably weaker than domestic sales.
Challenges with 410A and 454B Transition
The transition from 410A to 454B refrigerants created some short-term disruption, especially affecting the commercial segment and large accounts.
Non-Equipment Sales Decline
Non-equipment sales, making up about 30% of the business, declined during the quarter.
Company Guidance
During Watsco's First Quarter 2025 earnings call, the company provided insights into their performance and future outlook, highlighting several key metrics. Sales in the core HVAC replacement business increased by 10% due to higher volumes, and the gross margins improved following the launch of the new A2L systems, which are expected to impact about 55% of total sales. The company is transitioning nearly $1 billion in inventory to these new systems and has trained thousands of customers to facilitate this change. Watsco's balance sheet remains robust with $430 million in cash, no debt, and over $3 billion in equity. The company also raised its annual dividend by 11% to $12 per share. Additionally, Watsco is closely monitoring the potential impact of proposed tariffs on their business, with domestic sales accounting for 91% of first-quarter sales. International sales, representing 9% of sales, face more uncertainty, and the company plans to adapt strategies to maintain growth in those regions. Overall, Watsco remains optimistic about the long-term prospects and continues to focus on its leadership position in the $74 billion distribution market.

Watsco Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Watsco's financial performance is strong, with consistent revenue and profit growth. The company's income statement shows impressive margins, and its balance sheet demonstrates low leverage and high equity. Cash flows are healthy, though there is room for improvement in free cash flow growth.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Watsco's income statement reflects strong profitability and consistent revenue growth. The gross profit margin for TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) stands at a healthy 26.8%, with a net profit margin of 7.0%. The company has experienced steady revenue growth, with a notable increase of 20.5% from 2020 to 2021 and continued growth thereafter. EBIT and EBITDA margins are robust at 10.0% and 10.2%, respectively, showcasing operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
80
Positive
The balance sheet indicates solid financial stability with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07 in TTM, suggesting minimal reliance on debt financing. The equity ratio is strong at 100%, reflecting a healthy balance between assets and liabilities. Return on equity is commendable at 11.9%, indicating efficient use of shareholder funds. The company maintains a solid cash position, although cash reserves have decreased compared to previous years.
Cash Flow
78
Positive
Cash flow analysis reveals a positive outlook, with a substantial operating cash flow to net income ratio of 0.93, indicating effective cash generation relative to net income. Free cash flow is strong, although it has seen a decline in growth rate compared to prior years. The free cash flow to net income ratio is 0.88, suggesting efficient conversion of income into cash.
Breakdown
TTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
7.58B7.62B7.28B7.27B6.28B5.05B
Gross Profit
2.04B2.04B1.99B2.03B1.67B1.22B
EBIT
757.61M781.77M771.42M831.58M628.53M401.03M
EBITDA
788.04M792.10M803.72M863.26M656.65M426.94M
Net Income Common Stockholders
529.34M536.29M536.34M601.17M418.94M269.58M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
431.82M781.94M210.11M147.50M118.27M146.07M
Total Assets
4.45B4.48B3.73B3.49B3.09B2.48B
Total Debt
459.69M447.46M404.79M390.53M360.52M216.14M
Net Debt
27.87M-78.81M194.68M243.02M335.95M70.08M
Total Liabilities
1.37B1.42B1.11B1.24B1.09B704.59M
Stockholders Equity
2.67B2.66B2.23B1.89B1.66B1.49B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
459.97M743.01M526.48M536.31M324.10M517.94M
Operating Cash Flow
491.75M773.10M561.95M571.96M349.57M534.38M
Investing Cash Flow
164.85M-290.67M-41.34M-33.84M-148.58M-16.34M
Financing Cash Flow
-498.61M-158.53M-460.08M-503.96M-228.60M-448.49M

Watsco Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price431.99
Price Trends
50DMA
469.92
Negative
100DMA
482.00
Negative
200DMA
485.64
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-8.21
Negative
RSI
40.87
Neutral
STOCH
75.62
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For WSO, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 431.99 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 454.32, below the 50-day MA of 469.92, and below the 200-day MA of 485.64, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -8.21 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 40.87 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 75.62 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for WSO.

Watsco Risk Analysis

Watsco disclosed 17 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Watsco reported the most risks in the "Macro & Political" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Watsco Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (66)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
77
Outperform
$48.93B42.5532.35%2.05%3.08%-0.76%
GWGWW
77
Outperform
$51.82B27.5457.19%0.84%3.71%7.23%
AIAIT
74
Outperform
$8.77B23.0922.23%0.80%0.50%4.48%
WSWSO
70
Outperform
$18.06B34.2318.91%2.71%3.92%1.09%
66
Neutral
$4.52B12.345.41%3.62%4.15%-12.18%
65
Neutral
$11.28B28.1331.49%1.67%-3.56%-16.75%
£31.02B25.4329.28%1.24%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
WSO
Watsco
431.99
-43.79
-9.20%
AIT
Applied Industrial Technologies
225.66
41.83
22.75%
FAST
Fastenal Company
42.17
10.67
33.87%
POOL
Pool
295.83
-42.44
-12.55%
GWW
WW Grainger
1,064.23
154.08
16.93%
GB:FERG
Ferguson PLC
15,680.00
56.95
0.36%

Watsco Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Watsco Holds Annual Shareholders Meeting, Elects New Directors
Neutral
Jun 5, 2025

On June 2, 2025, Watsco, Inc. held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders, where key proposals were voted on. The election of directors resulted in Gary L. Tapella, J. Michael Custer, and Valerie F. Schimel being elected to serve until 2028. Additionally, a non-binding advisory resolution on executive compensation was approved, and Deloitte & Touche LLP was ratified as the independent registered public accounting firm for the 2025 fiscal year.

The most recent analyst rating on (WSO) stock is a Hold with a $425.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Watsco stock, see the WSO Stock Forecast page.

Product-Related AnnouncementsBusiness Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Watsco Navigates Product Transition Amid Revenue Dip
Neutral
Apr 23, 2025

In the first quarter of 2025, Watsco experienced a 2% decrease in revenues to $1.53 billion, with a flat gross profit of $430 million and improved gross profit margin. The company is undergoing a large-scale product transition due to regulatory changes affecting 55% of its sales, transitioning to HVAC systems with lower global warming properties. Despite a decline in international sales, the U.S. residential replacement market saw a 10% increase, supported by new customer acquisition and improved product mix. Watsco’s strong balance sheet and strategic investments in technology and inventory position it well for future growth, with expectations of resilient demand in the upcoming selling season.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

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.