FER vs. ULS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at FER and ULS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | FER | ULS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Ferrovial SE | UL Solutions Inc. |
| Country | Netherlands | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Construction & Engineering | Professional Services |
| Market Capitalization | 39.01 billion USD | 14.13 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | August 13, 2012 | April 12, 2024 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of FER and ULS by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | FER | ULS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.61% | 6.64% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 4.65% | 0.00% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 11.20% | 29.30% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 23.92% | 40.59% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.29% | -3.79% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 12.02% | 41.04% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.53M | 1.48M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.69M | 0.96M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 14.08% | 33.65% |
| Beta | 0.89 | 0.55 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
FER
56.21%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 29.61%
- Q3
- 17.18%
- Median
- 10.42%
- Q1
- 8.10%
- Min
- -0.10%
FER’s Return on Equity of 56.21% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Construction & Engineering industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
ULS
38.35%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 52.17%
- Q3
- 30.06%
- Median
- 22.21%
- Q1
- 11.67%
- Min
- -13.44%
In the upper quartile for the Professional Services industry, ULS’s Return on Equity of 38.35% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
FER
35.99%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 11.14%
- Q3
- 6.17%
- Median
- 3.85%
- Q1
- 2.40%
- Min
- -0.05%
FER’s Net Profit Margin of 35.99% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Construction & Engineering industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
ULS
11.60%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 26.06%
- Q3
- 13.34%
- Median
- 7.88%
- Q1
- 3.50%
- Min
- -2.93%
ULS’s Net Profit Margin of 11.60% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Professional Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
FER
34.91%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 17.56%
- Q3
- 9.36%
- Median
- 5.46%
- Q1
- 3.47%
- Min
- -1.93%
FER’s Operating Profit Margin of 34.91% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Construction & Engineering industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
ULS
16.52%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 35.84%
- Q3
- 19.38%
- Median
- 12.54%
- Q1
- 7.36%
- Min
- -5.21%
ULS’s Operating Profit Margin of 16.52% is around the midpoint for the Professional Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | FER | ULS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 56.21% | 38.35% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 12.11% | 11.93% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 35.99% | 11.60% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 34.91% | 16.52% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 87.83% | 48.71% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
FER
0.94
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 1.98
- Q3
- 1.53
- Median
- 1.24
- Q1
- 1.05
- Min
- 0.66
FER’s Current Ratio of 0.94 falls into the lower quartile for the Construction & Engineering industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
ULS
1.24
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.45
- Q3
- 1.65
- Median
- 1.26
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.47
ULS’s Current Ratio of 1.24 aligns with the median group of the Professional Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
FER
1.95
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 2.49
- Q3
- 1.19
- Median
- 0.63
- Q1
- 0.29
- Min
- 0.00
FER’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Construction & Engineering industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.95. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
ULS
0.67
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.63
- Q3
- 1.44
- Median
- 0.91
- Q1
- 0.49
- Min
- 0.00
ULS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.67 is typical for the Professional Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
FER
9.20
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 23.59
- Q3
- 14.49
- Median
- 8.20
- Q1
- 5.26
- Min
- -6.49
FER’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 9.20 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Construction & Engineering industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
ULS
11.92
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 39.67
- Q3
- 20.05
- Median
- 11.07
- Q1
- 5.36
- Min
- -2.22
ULS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 11.92 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Professional Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | FER | ULS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.94 | 1.24 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.86 | 1.24 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.95 | 0.67 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 9.20 | 11.92 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
FER
0.37%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 6.28%
- Q3
- 3.25%
- Median
- 2.02%
- Q1
- 0.23%
- Min
- 0.00%
FER’s Dividend Yield of 0.37% is consistent with its peers in the Construction & Engineering industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
ULS
0.71%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 5.28%
- Q3
- 2.51%
- Median
- 1.63%
- Q1
- 0.62%
- Min
- 0.00%
ULS’s Dividend Yield of 0.71% is consistent with its peers in the Professional Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
FER
3.63%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 139.17%
- Q3
- 69.47%
- Median
- 40.99%
- Q1
- 10.51%
- Min
- 0.00%
FER’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 3.63% is in the lower quartile for the Construction & Engineering industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
ULS
29.97%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 109.23%
- Q3
- 64.39%
- Median
- 47.00%
- Q1
- 20.35%
- Min
- 0.00%
ULS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 29.97% is within the typical range for the Professional Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | FER | ULS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.37% | 0.71% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 3.63% | 29.97% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
FER
9.68
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 36.96
- Q3
- 24.81
- Median
- 15.45
- Q1
- 12.51
- Min
- 2.74
In the lower quartile for the Construction & Engineering industry, FER’s P/E Ratio of 9.68 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
ULS
41.94
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 49.59
- Q3
- 36.59
- Median
- 28.13
- Q1
- 18.55
- Min
- 10.07
A P/E Ratio of 41.94 places ULS in the upper quartile for the Professional Services industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
FER
3.48
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 3.22
- Q3
- 1.63
- Median
- 0.61
- Q1
- 0.48
- Min
- 0.11
With a P/S Ratio of 3.48, FER trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Construction & Engineering industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
ULS
4.86
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 9.54
- Q3
- 5.11
- Median
- 2.10
- Q1
- 0.75
- Min
- 0.11
ULS’s P/S Ratio of 4.86 aligns with the market consensus for the Professional Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
FER
5.63
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 5.74
- Q3
- 3.33
- Median
- 1.49
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.23
FER’s P/B Ratio of 5.63 is in the upper tier for the Construction & Engineering industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
ULS
11.64
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 13.75
- Q3
- 8.87
- Median
- 4.35
- Q1
- 2.43
- Min
- 0.54
ULS’s P/B Ratio of 11.64 is in the upper tier for the Professional Services industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | FER | ULS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 9.68 | 41.94 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.48 | 4.86 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.63 | 11.64 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 28.40 | 46.18 |