FERG vs. WSO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at FERG and WSO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | FERG | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Ferguson Enterprises Inc. | Watsco, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Trading Companies & Distributors | Trading Companies & Distributors |
| Market Capitalization | 48.15 billion USD | 13.89 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 5, 2010 | June 7, 1984 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of FERG and WSO 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 | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -7.26% | -2.21% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 1.98% | -17.34% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 34.60% | -28.71% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 15.98% | -36.82% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -5.15% | -6.76% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 35.79% | -27.60% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.85M | 0.36M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.64M | 0.45M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 31.74% | 30.58% |
| Beta | 1.14 | 1.03 |
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.
WSO
19.16%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 32.99%
- Q3
- 19.30%
- Median
- 12.90%
- Q1
- 9.19%
- Min
- -4.19%
WSO’s Return on Equity of 19.16% is on par with the norm for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
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.
WSO
7.04%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 18.35%
- Q3
- 9.73%
- Median
- 6.00%
- Q1
- 3.53%
- Min
- -3.81%
WSO’s Net Profit Margin of 7.04% 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.
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.
WSO
10.18%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 25.07%
- Q3
- 13.61%
- Median
- 7.26%
- Q1
- 4.79%
- Min
- -7.51%
WSO’s Operating Profit Margin of 10.18% is around the midpoint for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | FERG | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 32.99% | 19.16% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.86% | 11.46% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 6.03% | 7.04% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.47% | 10.18% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 30.67% | 27.92% |
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.
WSO
3.84
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 3.62
- Q3
- 2.33
- Median
- 1.57
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.27
WSO’s Current Ratio of 3.84 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
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.
WSO
0.04
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.93
- Q3
- 1.19
- Median
- 0.78
- Q1
- 0.54
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, WSO’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.04 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
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.
WSO
140.00
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 15.13
- Q3
- 7.93
- Median
- 5.62
- Q1
- 1.79
- Min
- -1.67
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 140.00, WSO demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | FERG | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.68 | 3.84 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.78 | 1.86 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.71 | 0.04 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 13.75 | 140.00 |
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.
WSO
3.22%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 5.11%
- Q3
- 2.73%
- Median
- 2.07%
- Q1
- 1.04%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.22%, WSO offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
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.
WSO
88.32%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 136.12%
- Q3
- 68.26%
- Median
- 48.45%
- Q1
- 22.66%
- Min
- 0.00%
WSO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 88.32% is in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | FERG | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.04% | 3.22% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 35.28% | 88.32% |
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.
WSO
27.43
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 37.92
- Q3
- 24.64
- Median
- 17.42
- Q1
- 14.27
- Min
- 5.07
A P/E Ratio of 27.43 places WSO 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.
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.
WSO
1.93
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.94
- Q3
- 2.49
- Median
- 1.08
- Q1
- 0.75
- Min
- 0.30
WSO’s P/S Ratio of 1.93 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.
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.
WSO
5.82
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 9.42
- Q3
- 4.66
- Median
- 2.10
- Q1
- 1.34
- Min
- 0.31
WSO’s P/B Ratio of 5.82 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | FERG | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 25.27 | 27.43 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.52 | 1.93 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 7.55 | 5.82 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 29.26 | 19.97 |