Ferguson Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End Results
Strong Finish to the Year; Changes to Fiscal Year Announced
Fourth quarter highlights
-
Sales of
$8.5 billion , an increase of 6.9%. - Gross margin of 31.7%, up 70 bps from prior year.
- Operating margin of 10.9%, up 70 bps on prior year (11.4%, up 60 bps on an adjusted basis).
-
Diluted earnings per share of
$3.55 , up 59% ($3.48 on an adjusted basis up 16.8%). -
Declared quarterly dividend of
$0.83 per share. - Completed four acquisitions during the quarter.
-
Share repurchases of
$189 million during the quarter. -
Ferguson is changing its fiscal year-end from
July 31 to December 31 . Following a five-month transition period (August 1, 2025 toDecember 31, 2025 ), we will begin reporting on a calendar year basis effectiveJanuary 1, 2026 .
Full year highlights
-
Sales were
$30.8 billion , an increase of 3.8%, with continued market share gains. - Gross margin of 30.7% was 20 bps ahead of last year.
- Operating margin of 8.5%, down 40 bps on prior year (9.2%, down 30 bps on an adjusted basis).
-
Diluted earnings per share of
$9.32 , up 9.3% ($9.94 , up 2.6% on an adjusted basis). -
Strong cash generation with
$1.9 billion in operating cash flow. -
Declared dividends of
$3.32 per share representing 5% growth over the prior year. -
Invested
$301 million in nine acquisitions, generating annualized revenue of approximately$300 million . -
Share repurchases of
$948 million during the year with an outstanding balance of approximately$1.0 billion remaining under the current share repurchase program atJuly 31, 2025 . - Balance sheet remains strong with net debt to adjusted EBITDA of 1.1x.
|
Three months ended |
|
|
|||
US$ (In millions, except per share amounts) |
2025 |
2024 |
Change |
|||
|
Reported |
Adjusted(1) |
Reported |
Adjusted(1) |
Reported |
Adjusted |
Net sales |
8,497 |
8,497 |
7,946 |
7,946 |
+6.9% |
+6.9% |
Gross margin |
31.7% |
31.7% |
31.0% |
31.0% |
+70 bps |
+70 bps |
Operating profit |
925 |
972 |
811 |
857 |
+14.1% |
+13.4% |
Operating margin |
10.9% |
11.4% |
10.2% |
10.8% |
+70 bps |
+60 bps |
Earnings per share - diluted |
3.55 |
3.48 |
2.23 |
2.98 |
+59.2% |
+16.8% |
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
1,029 |
|
906 |
|
+13.6% |
|
Twelve months ended |
|
|
|||
US$ (In millions, except per share amounts) |
2025 |
2024 |
Change |
|||
|
Reported |
Adjusted(1) |
Reported |
Adjusted(1) |
Reported |
Adjusted |
Net sales |
30,762 |
30,762 |
29,635 |
29,635 |
+3.8% |
+3.8% |
Gross margin |
30.7% |
30.7% |
30.5% |
30.5% |
+20 bps |
+20 bps |
Operating profit |
2,606 |
2,842 |
2,652 |
2,824 |
(1.7)% |
+0.6% |
Operating margin |
8.5% |
9.2% |
8.9% |
9.5% |
(40) bps |
(30) bps |
Earnings per share - diluted |
9.32 |
9.94 |
8.53 |
9.69 |
+9.3% |
+2.6% |
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
3,059 |
|
3,015 |
|
+1.5% |
Net debt(1) : Adjusted EBITDA |
|
1.1x |
|
1.1x |
|
|
(1) |
The Company uses certain non-GAAP measures, which are not defined or specified under |
Summary of financial results
Fourth quarter
Net sales of
Gross margin was 31.7%, an increase of 70 basis points over last year, driven by our associates’ strong execution and the timing and extent of supplier price increases. Operating expenses continued to be diligently managed while we continued to invest in core capabilities for future growth.
Reported operating profit of
Reported diluted earnings per share was
Full year
Net sales of
Gross margin of 30.7% was 20 basis points ahead of last year. Reported operating profit was
Reported diluted earnings per share was
During the year we acquired nine businesses which in aggregate generate annualized revenue of approximately
Net sales in the US business grew 7.1%, with organic revenue growth of 6.1% and a further 1.0% from acquisitions.
Residential end markets, representing approximately half of US revenue, remained muted. New residential housing starts and permit activity weakened during the second half of our fiscal year. Repair, maintenance and improvement (“RMI”) work has also remained soft. Overall, residential revenue was flat in the fourth quarter.
Non-residential end markets, representing approximately half of US revenue, showed continued resilience with non-residential revenue growing by approximately 15% in the fourth quarter. Non-residential waterworks projects saw solid demand in the quarter with strong growth in commercial and civil/infrastructure. We continued to see solid bidding and shipment activity on large capital projects.
Adjusted operating profit of
We completed four acquisitions during the quarter that included
Net sales grew by 4.8%, with organic revenue growth of 0.3% and a further 4.9% contribution from acquisitions, partially offset by a 0.4% adverse impact from foreign exchange rates. Similar to the US business, non-residential end markets have been more resilient than residential end markets. Adjusted operating profit of
Segment overview
|
Three months ended |
|
|
Twelve months ended |
|
||||||
US$ (In millions) |
2025 |
2024 |
Change |
|
2025 |
2024 |
Change |
||||
Net sales: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
8,059 |
|
7,528 |
|
+7.1% |
|
29,269 |
|
28,195 |
|
3.8% |
|
438 |
|
418 |
|
+4.8% |
|
1,493 |
|
1,440 |
|
3.7% |
Total net sales |
8,497 |
|
7,946 |
|
+6.9% |
|
30,762 |
|
29,635 |
|
3.8% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Adjusted operating profit: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
962 |
|
844 |
|
+14.0% |
|
2,840 |
|
2,820 |
|
0.7% |
|
24 |
|
22 |
|
+9.1% |
|
66 |
|
60 |
|
10.0% |
Central and other costs |
(14 |
) |
(9 |
) |
|
|
(64 |
) |
(56 |
) |
|
Total adjusted operating profit |
972 |
|
857 |
|
+13.4% |
|
2,842 |
|
2,824 |
|
0.6% |
Financial position
Net debt to adjusted EBITDA at
We have declared a quarterly dividend of
There have been no other significant changes to the financial position of the Company.
Changes to fiscal year and calendar 2025 guidance
Ferguson is changing its fiscal year-end from
We will release earnings on
As a result of this change, we are providing guidance for the 2025 calendar year. Markets remain uncertain but we expect mid-single digit revenue growth with an adjusted operating margin range of 9.2% to 9.6% for the full year.
|
Calendar 2024 Actuals
(Unaudited) |
Calendar 2025 Guidance
|
Net sales |
|
Mid-single digit growth |
Adjusted operating margin* |
9.1% |
9.2% - 9.6% |
Interest expense |
|
|
Capital expenditures |
|
|
Adjusted effective tax rate* |
|
~26% |
* The Company does not reconcile forward-looking non-GAAP measures. See “Non-GAAP Reconciliations and Supplementary information”. |
Investor conference call and webcast
A call with
Dial in number |
|
US: |
+1 646 233 4753 |
|
|
|
+44 (0) 20 3936 2999 |
Ask for the Ferguson call quoting 067663. To access the call via your laptop, tablet or mobile device please go to corporate.ferguson.com. If you have technical difficulties, please click the “Listen by Phone” button on the webcast player and dial the number provided.
About Ferguson
Ferguson (NYSE: FERG; LSE: FERG) is the largest value-added distributor serving the water and air specialized professional in our
Analyst resources
For further information on quarterly financial breakdowns, visit corporate.ferguson.com on the Investors menu under Analysts and Resources.
Financial calendar
Results for three-month period ending |
|
Cautionary note on forward-looking statements
Certain information included in this announcement is forward-looking, including within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and involves risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements cover all matters which are not historical facts and include, without limitation, statements or guidance regarding or relating to our future financial position, results of operations and growth, plans and objectives for the future including our capabilities and priorities, risks associated with changes in global and regional economic, market and political conditions, ability to manage supply chain challenges, ability to manage the impact of product price fluctuations, our financial condition and liquidity, legal or regulatory changes and other statements concerning the success of our business and strategies. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including terms such as “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “guidance,” “intends,” “continues,” “plans,” “projects,” “goal,” “target,” “aim,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could” or “should” or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology and other similar references to future periods. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. They are not assurances of future performance and are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: weakness in the economy, market trends, uncertainty and other conditions in the markets in which we operate and the macroeconomic impact of factors beyond our control (including, among others, inflation/deflation, recession, labor and wage pressures, trade restrictions such as tariffs, sanctions and retaliatory countermeasures, interest rates, and geopolitical conditions); failure to rapidly identify or effectively respond to direct and/or end customers’ wants, expectations or trends, including costs and potential problems associated with new or upgraded information technology systems or our ability to timely deploy new omni-channel capabilities; decreased demand for our products as a result of operating in highly competitive industries and the impact of declines in the residential and non-residential markets and our ability to effectively manage inventory as a result; changes in competition, including as a result of market consolidation, new entrants, vertical integration or competitors responding more quickly to emerging technologies (such as generative artificial intelligence (“AI”)); failure of a key information technology system or process as well as payment-related risks, including exposure to fraud or theft; privacy and protection of sensitive data failures, including failures due to data corruption, cybersecurity incidents, network security breaches or the use of AI; ineffectiveness of or disruption in our domestic or international supply chain or our fulfillment network, including delays in inventory availability at our distribution facilities and branches, increased delivery costs or lack of availability due to loss of key suppliers; failure to effectively manage and protect our facilities and inventory or to prevent personal injury to customers, suppliers or associates, including as a result of workplace violence; unsuccessful execution of our operational strategies; failure to attract, retain and motivate key associates; exposure of associates, contractors, customers, suppliers and other individuals to health and safety risks and fleet incidents; risks associated with acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures and other business combinations, dispositions or strategic transactions; risks associated with sales of private label products, including regulatory, product liability and reputational risks and the adverse impact such sales may have on supplier relationships and rebates; the failure to achieve and maintain a high level of product and service quality or comply with responsible sourcing standards; inability to renew leases on favorable terms or at all, as well as any remaining obligations under a lease when we close a facility; changes in, interpretations of, or compliance with tax laws and accounting standards; our access to capital, indebtedness and changes in our credit ratings and outlook; fluctuations in product prices/costs (e.g., including as a result of the use of commodity-priced materials, inflation/deflation, trade restrictions and/or failure to qualify for or maintain supplier rebates) and foreign currency; funding risks related to our defined benefit pension plans; legal proceedings in the ordinary course of our business as well as any failure to comply with domestic and foreign laws, regulations and standards, as those laws, regulations and standards or interpretations and enforcement thereof may change; the occurrence of unforeseen developments such as litigation, investigations, governmental proceedings or enforcement actions; our failure to comply with the obligations associated with being a public company listed on the
Non-GAAP Reconciliations and Supplementary Information
(unaudited)
Non-GAAP items
This announcement contains certain financial information that is not presented in conformity with
The Company does not provide a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable
Summary of Organic Revenue
Management evaluates organic revenue as it provides a consistent measure of the change in revenue year-on-year. Organic revenue growth (or decline) is determined as the growth (or decline) in total reported revenue excluding the growth (or decline) attributable to currency exchange rate fluctuations, sales days, acquisitions and disposals, divided by the preceding financial year’s revenue at the current year’s exchange rates.
A summary of the Company’s historical revenue and organic revenue growth is below:
|
Q4 2025 |
Q3 2025 |
Q2 2025 |
Q1 2025 |
Q4 2024 |
|||||
|
Revenue |
Organic
|
Revenue |
Organic
|
Revenue |
Organic
|
Revenue |
Organic
|
Revenue |
Organic
|
|
7.1% |
6.1% |
4.5% |
5.0% |
3.0% |
2.0% |
0.5% |
(0.4)% |
1.3% |
(0.2)% |
|
4.8% |
0.3% |
(0.3)% |
3.0% |
3.2% |
3.1% |
6.3% |
1.3% |
2.0% |
(1.2)% |
Continuing operations |
6.9% |
5.8% |
4.3% |
5.0% |
3.0% |
2.1% |
0.8% |
(0.3)% |
1.4% |
(0.2)% |
For further details regarding organic revenue growth, visit corporate.ferguson.com on the Investors menu under Analysts and Resources.
Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Operating Profit and Adjusted EBITDA |
|||||||||||
|
Three months ended |
|
Twelve months ended |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
||||||||
(In millions) |
2025 |
|
2024 |
|
2025 |
|
2024 |
||||
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Provision for income taxes |
172 |
|
|
308 |
|
|
567 |
|
|
729 |
|
Interest expense, net |
50 |
|
|
47 |
|
|
190 |
|
|
179 |
|
Other expense, net |
3 |
|
|
5 |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
9 |
|
Operating profit |
925 |
|
|
811 |
|
|
2,606 |
|
|
2,652 |
|
Corporate restructuring expenses(1) |
2 |
|
|
8 |
|
|
7 |
|
|
28 |
|
Business restructuring expenses(2) |
5 |
|
|
— |
|
|
73 |
|
|
— |
|
Amortization of acquired intangibles |
40 |
|
|
38 |
|
|
156 |
|
|
144 |
|
Adjusted Operating Profit |
972 |
|
|
857 |
|
|
2,842 |
|
|
2,824 |
|
Depreciation and impairment of PP&E |
50 |
|
|
42 |
|
|
187 |
|
|
162 |
|
Amortization and impairment of non-acquired intangibles |
7 |
|
|
7 |
|
|
30 |
|
|
29 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
For the three and twelve months ended |
(2) |
For the three and twelve months ended |
Net Debt : Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation
To assess the appropriateness of its capital structure, the Company’s principal measure of financial leverage is net debt to adjusted EBITDA. The Company aims to operate with investment grade credit metrics and keep this ratio within one to two times.
Net debt
Net debt comprises bank overdrafts, bank and other loans and derivative financial instruments, excluding lease liabilities, less cash and cash equivalents. Long-term debt is presented net of debt issuance costs.
|
As of |
||||
(In millions) |
2025 |
|
2024 |
||
Long-term debt |
|
|
|
||
Short-term debt |
400 |
|
150 |
||
Bank overdrafts(1) |
5 |
|
1 |
||
Derivative liabilities |
4 |
|
8 |
||
Cash and cash equivalents |
(674) |
|
(571) |
||
Net debt |
|
|
|
||
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
|
|
||
Net Debt: Adjusted EBITDA |
1.1x |
|
1.1x |
(1) |
Bank overdrafts are included in other current liabilities in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. |
Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS - Diluted |
|||||||||||
|
Three months ended |
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
(In millions, except per share amounts) |
2025 |
|
2024 |
||||||||
|
|
|
per share(1) |
|
|
|
per share(1) |
||||
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate restructuring expenses(2) |
2 |
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
8 |
|
|
0.04 |
|
Business restructuring expenses(3) |
5 |
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
Amortization of acquired intangibles |
40 |
|
|
0.20 |
|
|
38 |
|
|
0.19 |
|
Discrete tax adjustments(4) |
(49 |
) |
|
(0.25 |
) |
|
114 |
|
|
0.56 |
|
Tax impact on non-GAAP adjustments(5) |
(11 |
) |
|
(0.06 |
) |
|
(9 |
) |
|
(0.04 |
) |
Adjusted net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding |
197.3 |
|
|
|
202.3 |
|
|
Twelve months ended |
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
(In millions, except per share amounts) |
2025 |
|
2024 |
||||||||
|
|
|
per share(1) |
|
|
|
per share(1) |
||||
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate restructuring expenses(2) |
7 |
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
28 |
|
|
0.14 |
|
Business restructuring expenses(3) |
73 |
|
|
0.37 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
Amortization of acquired intangibles |
156 |
|
|
0.78 |
|
|
144 |
|
|
0.71 |
|
Discrete tax adjustments(4) |
(52 |
) |
|
(0.26 |
) |
|
101 |
|
|
0.49 |
|
Tax impact on non-GAAP adjustments(5) |
(59 |
) |
|
(0.30 |
) |
|
(36 |
) |
|
(0.18 |
) |
Adjusted net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding |
|
199.2 |
|
|
203.5 |
|
(1) |
Per share on a dilutive basis. |
(2) |
For the three and twelve months ended |
(3) |
For the three and twelve months ended |
(4) |
For the three and twelve months ended |
(5) |
For the three and twelve months ended |
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (unaudited) |
|||||||||||
|
Three months ended |
|
Twelve months ended |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
||||||||
(In millions, except per share amounts) |
2025 |
|
2024 |
|
2025 |
|
2024 |
||||
Net sales |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales |
(5,803 |
) |
|
(5,485 |
) |
|
(21,327 |
) |
|
(20,582 |
) |
Gross profit |
2,694 |
|
|
2,461 |
|
|
9,435 |
|
|
9,053 |
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
(1,665 |
) |
|
(1,563 |
) |
|
(6,376 |
) |
|
(6,038 |
) |
Restructuring and impairment expenses |
(7 |
) |
|
— |
|
|
(80 |
) |
|
(28 |
) |
Depreciation and amortization |
(97 |
) |
|
(87 |
) |
|
(373 |
) |
|
(335 |
) |
Operating profit |
925 |
|
|
811 |
|
|
2,606 |
|
|
2,652 |
|
Interest expense, net |
(50 |
) |
|
(47 |
) |
|
(190 |
) |
|
(179 |
) |
Other income (expense), net |
(3 |
) |
|
(5 |
) |
|
7 |
|
|
(9 |
) |
Income before income taxes |
872 |
|
|
759 |
|
|
2,423 |
|
|
2,464 |
|
Provision for income taxes |
(172 |
) |
|
(308 |
) |
|
(567 |
) |
|
(729 |
) |
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Earnings per share - Basic |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Earnings per share - Diluted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Weighted average number of shares outstanding: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Basic |
197.0 |
|
|
201.7 |
|
|
198.9 |
|
|
202.9 |
|
Diluted |
197.3 |
|
|
202.3 |
|
|
199.2 |
|
|
203.5 |
|
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) |
|||||
|
As of |
||||
(In millions) |
2025 |
|
2024 |
||
Assets |
|
|
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
|
||
Accounts receivable, net |
3,964 |
|
|
3,602 |
|
Inventories |
4,492 |
|
|
4,188 |
|
Prepaid and other current assets |
945 |
|
|
1,020 |
|
Assets held for sale |
71 |
|
|
29 |
|
Total current assets |
10,146 |
|
|
9,410 |
|
Property, plant and equipment, net |
1,846 |
|
|
1,752 |
|
Operating lease right-of-use assets |
1,763 |
|
|
1,565 |
|
Deferred income taxes, net |
225 |
|
|
181 |
|
|
2,464 |
|
|
2,357 |
|
Other non-current assets |
1,285 |
|
|
1,307 |
|
Total assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity |
|
|
|
||
Accounts payable |
|
|
|
|
|
Other current liabilities |
2,451 |
|
|
1,806 |
|
Total current liabilities |
6,028 |
|
|
5,216 |
|
Long-term debt |
3,752 |
|
|
3,774 |
|
Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities |
1,367 |
|
|
1,198 |
|
Other long-term liabilities |
750 |
|
|
768 |
|
Total liabilities |
11,897 |
|
|
10,956 |
|
Total stockholders' equity |
5,832 |
|
|
5,616 |
|
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity |
|
|
|
|
|
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) |
|||||
(In millions) |
Twelve months ended |
||||
|
|||||
2025 |
|
2024 |
|||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
||
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
373 |
|
|
335 |
|
Share-based compensation |
28 |
|
|
49 |
|
Changes in inventories |
(273 |
) |
|
(252 |
) |
Changes in receivables and other assets |
(321 |
) |
|
(98 |
) |
Changes in accounts payable and other liabilities |
278 |
|
|
11 |
|
Other operating activities |
(33 |
) |
|
93 |
|
Net cash provided by operating activities |
1,908 |
|
|
1,873 |
|
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
||
Purchase of businesses acquired, net of cash acquired |
(301 |
) |
|
(260 |
) |
Capital expenditures |
(305 |
) |
|
(372 |
) |
Other investing activities |
63 |
|
|
31 |
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
(543 |
) |
|
(601 |
) |
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
||
Purchase of treasury shares |
(948 |
) |
|
(634 |
) |
Proceeds from sale of treasury shares |
— |
|
|
17 |
|
Net change in debt and bank overdrafts |
225 |
|
|
129 |
|
Cash dividends |
(489 |
) |
|
(784 |
) |
Other financing activities |
(74 |
) |
|
(41 |
) |
Net cash used in financing activities |
(1,286 |
) |
|
(1,313 |
) |
Change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
79 |
|
|
(41 |
) |
Effects of exchange rate changes |
3 |
|
|
(3 |
) |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period |
625 |
|
|
669 |
|
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period |
|
|
|
|
|
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