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 | 45.43 billion USD | 76.29 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 | 2.95% | -1.39% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 3.72% | 4.52% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 44.56% | 45.88% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 18.24% | 86.84% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 3.14% | -3.56% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 33.45% | 73.04% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.83M | 2.07M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.70M | 2.86M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 29.04% | 26.35% |
| Beta | 1.13 | 1.34 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
FERG
32.99%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 32.99%
- Q3
- 19.66%
- Median
- 13.72%
- Q1
- 9.74%
- Min
- -0.34%
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
29.58%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 37.11%
- Q3
- 20.14%
- Median
- 11.72%
- Q1
- 6.30%
- Min
- -6.24%
In the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, HWM’s Return on Equity of 29.58% 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
- 16.11%
- Q3
- 9.48%
- Median
- 5.89%
- Q1
- 3.68%
- Min
- -1.09%
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
18.09%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 13.66%
- Q3
- 8.61%
- Median
- 6.59%
- Q1
- 4.92%
- Min
- 1.01%
HWM’s Net Profit Margin of 18.09% 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
- 26.26%
- Q3
- 14.59%
- Median
- 7.05%
- Q1
- 4.94%
- Min
- -8.06%
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
24.28%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.35%
- Q3
- 12.83%
- Median
- 9.29%
- Q1
- 6.38%
- Min
- -2.15%
HWM’s Operating Profit Margin of 24.28% 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% | 29.58% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.86% | 13.03% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 6.03% | 18.09% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.47% | 24.28% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 30.67% | 32.69% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
FERG
1.68
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 3.32
- Q3
- 2.27
- Median
- 1.60
- Q1
- 1.41
- Min
- 0.26
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
2.31
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 3.35
- Q3
- 2.03
- Median
- 1.24
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.77
HWM’s Current Ratio of 2.31 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
0.64
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.93
- Q3
- 1.24
- Median
- 0.79
- Q1
- 0.61
- Min
- 0.01
FERG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.64 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
0.65
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.72
- Q3
- 0.96
- Median
- 0.63
- Q1
- 0.37
- Min
- 0.03
HWM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.65 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
- 5.67
- Q1
- 2.04
- 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
- 36.57
- Q3
- 19.08
- Median
- 7.25
- Q1
- 2.65
- 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 | 2.31 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.78 | 0.91 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.64 | 0.65 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 13.75 | 7.92 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
FERG
1.08%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 5.25%
- Q3
- 2.95%
- Median
- 2.06%
- Q1
- 1.11%
- Min
- 0.00%
FERG’s Dividend Yield of 1.08% is in the lower quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
HWM
0.20%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 2.72%
- Q3
- 1.45%
- Median
- 0.48%
- Q1
- 0.08%
- 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
- 71.34%
- Median
- 47.49%
- Q1
- 22.56%
- 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
10.74%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 110.40%
- Q3
- 50.43%
- Median
- 17.11%
- Q1
- 0.46%
- Min
- 0.00%
HWM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 10.74% 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) | 1.08% | 0.20% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 35.28% | 10.74% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
FERG
24.44
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 42.69
- Q3
- 25.21
- Median
- 16.99
- Q1
- 13.13
- Min
- 5.35
FERG’s P/E Ratio of 24.44 is within the middle range for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
HWM
54.68
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 67.20
- Q3
- 55.74
- Median
- 33.28
- Q1
- 27.49
- Min
- 15.02
HWM’s P/E Ratio of 54.68 is within the middle range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
FERG
1.47
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.90
- Q3
- 2.71
- Median
- 1.06
- Q1
- 0.70
- Min
- 0.30
FERG’s P/S Ratio of 1.47 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
9.89
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 9.06
- Q3
- 4.87
- Median
- 2.47
- Q1
- 1.61
- Min
- 0.33
With a P/S Ratio of 9.89, 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
- 7.55
- Q3
- 4.63
- Median
- 2.09
- Q1
- 1.30
- 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
14.90
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 14.90
- Q3
- 8.93
- Median
- 4.70
- Q1
- 3.03
- Min
- 0.83
HWM’s P/B Ratio of 14.90 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) | 24.44 | 54.68 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.47 | 9.89 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 7.55 | 14.90 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 28.30 | 75.04 |