FERG vs. HWM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at FERG and HWM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | FERG | HWM |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Ferguson Enterprises Inc. | Howmet Aerospace Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Trading Companies & Distributors | Aerospace & Defense |
| Market Capitalization | 48.15 billion USD | 81.46 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 5, 2010 | November 1, 2016 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of FERG and HWM 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 | FERG | HWM |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -7.26% | -3.08% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 1.98% | 18.71% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 34.60% | 28.42% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 15.98% | 75.60% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -5.15% | -1.29% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 35.79% | 85.87% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.85M | 2.03M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.64M | 2.29M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 31.74% | 24.72% |
| Beta | 1.14 | 1.31 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
FERG
32.99%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 32.99%
- Q3
- 19.30%
- Median
- 12.90%
- Q1
- 9.19%
- Min
- -4.19%
In the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, FERG’s Return on Equity of 32.99% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
HWM
29.70%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 43.89%
- Q3
- 23.64%
- Median
- 12.98%
- Q1
- 8.07%
- Min
- -2.55%
In the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, HWM’s Return on Equity of 29.70% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
FERG
6.03%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 18.35%
- Q3
- 9.73%
- Median
- 6.00%
- Q1
- 3.53%
- Min
- -3.81%
FERG’s Net Profit Margin of 6.03% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
HWM
18.18%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 14.96%
- Q3
- 9.50%
- Median
- 6.59%
- Q1
- 4.45%
- Min
- 1.01%
HWM’s Net Profit Margin of 18.18% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
FERG
8.47%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 25.07%
- Q3
- 13.61%
- Median
- 7.26%
- Q1
- 4.79%
- Min
- -7.51%
FERG’s Operating Profit Margin of 8.47% is around the midpoint for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
HWM
25.10%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 17.97%
- Q3
- 12.09%
- Median
- 9.29%
- Q1
- 6.41%
- Min
- -1.59%
HWM’s Operating Profit Margin of 25.10% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | FERG | HWM |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 32.99% | 29.70% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.86% | 13.33% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 6.03% | 18.18% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.47% | 25.10% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 30.67% | 33.43% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
FERG
1.68
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 3.62
- Q3
- 2.33
- Median
- 1.57
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.27
FERG’s Current Ratio of 1.68 aligns with the median group of the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
HWM
2.35
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 3.37
- Q3
- 2.01
- Median
- 1.22
- Q1
- 1.07
- Min
- 0.68
HWM’s Current Ratio of 2.35 is in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
FERG
0.71
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.93
- Q3
- 1.19
- Median
- 0.78
- Q1
- 0.54
- Min
- 0.00
FERG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.71 is typical for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
HWM
0.62
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.89
- Q3
- 0.99
- Median
- 0.63
- Q1
- 0.39
- Min
- 0.03
HWM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.62 is typical for the Aerospace & Defense 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)
FERG
13.75
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 15.13
- Q3
- 7.93
- Median
- 5.62
- Q1
- 1.79
- Min
- -1.67
FERG’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 13.75 is in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
HWM
7.92
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 29.86
- Q3
- 19.49
- Median
- 7.09
- Q1
- 2.62
- Min
- -7.63
HWM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.92 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | FERG | HWM |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.68 | 2.35 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.78 | 0.96 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.71 | 0.62 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 13.75 | 7.92 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
FERG
1.04%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 5.11%
- Q3
- 2.73%
- Median
- 2.07%
- Q1
- 1.04%
- Min
- 0.00%
FERG’s Dividend Yield of 1.04% is consistent with its peers in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
HWM
0.20%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 2.87%
- Q3
- 1.46%
- Median
- 0.58%
- Q1
- 0.10%
- Min
- 0.00%
HWM’s Dividend Yield of 0.20% is consistent with its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
FERG
35.28%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 136.12%
- Q3
- 68.26%
- Median
- 48.45%
- Q1
- 22.66%
- Min
- 0.00%
FERG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 35.28% is within the typical range for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
HWM
11.31%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 110.40%
- Q3
- 51.46%
- Median
- 20.20%
- Q1
- 4.21%
- Min
- 0.00%
HWM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 11.31% is within the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | FERG | HWM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.04% | 0.20% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 35.28% | 11.31% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
FERG
25.27
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 37.92
- Q3
- 24.64
- Median
- 17.42
- Q1
- 14.27
- Min
- 5.07
A P/E Ratio of 25.27 places FERG in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
HWM
55.41
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 94.22
- Q3
- 53.31
- Median
- 32.27
- Q1
- 24.64
- Min
- 14.57
A P/E Ratio of 55.41 places HWM in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
FERG
1.52
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.94
- Q3
- 2.49
- Median
- 1.08
- Q1
- 0.75
- Min
- 0.30
FERG’s P/S Ratio of 1.52 aligns with the market consensus for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
HWM
10.07
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 7.20
- Q3
- 3.95
- Median
- 2.35
- Q1
- 1.71
- Min
- 0.32
With a P/S Ratio of 10.07, HWM trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
FERG
7.55
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 9.42
- Q3
- 4.66
- Median
- 2.10
- Q1
- 1.34
- Min
- 0.31
FERG’s P/B Ratio of 7.55 is in the upper tier for the Trading Companies & Distributors 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.
HWM
15.38
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 18.61
- Q3
- 9.58
- Median
- 5.45
- Q1
- 3.11
- Min
- 0.94
HWM’s P/B Ratio of 15.38 is in the upper tier for the Aerospace & Defense 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 | FERG | HWM |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 25.27 | 55.41 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.52 | 10.07 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 7.55 | 15.38 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 29.26 | 62.81 |