Ferguson's Fiscal Fourth-Quarter Earnings Surpass Estimates Despite Revenue Decline
3 months ago

Ferguson's impressive fiscal fourth-quarter earnings have outperformed market estimates, showcasing the resilience of the plumbing and heating products company amidst challenging conditions in the residential end markets in the United States. For the quarter that concluded on July 31, Ferguson reported adjusted earnings of $2.98 per share, a notable increase from $2.77 during the same period last year.

Analysts had anticipated a normalized earnings per share (EPS) of $2.86 according to consensus estimates compiled by Capital IQ. Although Ferguson’s sales saw a modest increase of 1.4% year over year, reaching $7.95 billion, this still fell short of analysts' expectations, which were set at $8.02 billion.

The company attributed this discrepancy to a marked weakness in certain commodity categories, leading to an overall price deflation of approximately 2%. Specifically, on an organic basis, revenue experienced a slight decline of 0.2%, albeit with volume rising by nearly 2%. In addressing the results, Chief Executive Kevin Murphy commented, "Despite market headwinds and deflation during the year, we continued to outperform our markets, returned to volume growth, expanded gross margins, and delivered solid operating margin performance." Murphy's insight highlights how the company has managed to navigate through a volatile market while still achieving positive operational metrics.

The revenue landscape within the United States improved, with sales rising to $7.53 billion from $7.43 billion recorded in the same quarter of 2023. This improvement was bolstered by a 3% increase in non-residential revenue. However, the residential revenue segment remained stagnant, reflecting a downturn in housing starts and permit activities during the latter half of the fiscal year.

Additionally, the company noted a continued softness in repair, maintenance, and improvement work. Ferguson’s sales in Canada also experienced a rise of 2% year-over-year, amounting to $418 million. Looking ahead to fiscal 2025, Ferguson is forecasting modest sales growth within the low single digits, a projection that aligns with the Street's expectation of approximately $31.08 billion in revenue.

This outlook indicates a cautious approach, taking into account anticipated market declines in similar low single-digit percentages, alongside expectations for pricing to be "slightly down" throughout the year. In fiscal 2024, Ferguson's sales had already contracted by 0.3%, finishing at $29.64 billion.

As Murphy elaborated on the company’s guidance for the coming fiscal year, he expressed, "Our fiscal 2025 guidance reflects modest full-year growth with continued market outperformance. While we anticipate an ongoing challenging near-term market environment, we will continue to invest in scale and capabilities to take advantage of multi-year structural tailwinds." This statement indicates Ferguson's strategic intent to maintain growth through investment, despite prevailing economic challenges.

Furthermore, the adjusted operating margin for the ongoing fiscal year is targeted between 9% and 9.5%, compared to the 9.5% recorded in fiscal 2024. The company has outlined capital expenditures expected to fall within the range of $400 million to $450 million, underscoring its commitment to strategic growth through investment in initiatives that bolster its operations and market position. As of the latest trading information, Ferguson's stock price stands at $198.01, reflecting a change of +0.79 or a percent change of +0.40..

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Unemployment Rate
2025-01-15 06:00:00
Actual
7.1%
Forecast
Previous
6.9%

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Gross Domestic Product y/y
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1.5%
Forecast
Previous
-0.5%

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Core Consumer Price Index y/y
2025-01-15 08:00:00
Actual
3.2%
Forecast
3.4%
Previous
3.5%

Core CPI (Consumer Price Index) measures the change in the price of goods and services purchased by consumers, excluding the volatile food, energy, alcohol, and tobacco items.

Core Consumer Price Index m/m
2025-01-15 08:00:00
Actual
0.3%
Forecast
0.5%
Previous
0.0%

Core CPI (Consumer Price Index) measures the change in the price of goods and services purchased by consumers, excluding the volatile food, energy, alcohol, and tobacco items.

Core Output Producer Price Index m/m
2025-01-15 08:00:00
Actual
0.0%
Forecast
Previous
0.0%

The output price index measures change in the prices of goods produced by UK manufacturers (these are often called 'factory gate prices').

Core Output Producer Price Index y/y
2025-01-15 08:00:00
Actual
1.5%
Forecast
Previous
1.6%

The output price index measures change in the prices of goods produced by UK manufacturers (these are often called 'factory gate prices').

Consumer Price Index y/y
2025-01-15 08:00:00
Actual
2.5%
Forecast
2.6%
Previous
2.6%

The CPI is the main UK measure of inflation for macroeconomic purposes and forms the basis for the Government's inflation target.

Consumer Price Index m/m
2025-01-15 08:00:00
Actual
0.3%
Forecast
0.4%
Previous
0.1%

The CPI is the main UK measure of inflation for macroeconomic purposes and forms the basis for the Government's inflation target.

Input Producer Price Index y/y
2025-01-15 08:00:00
Actual
-1.5%
Forecast
-1.3%
Previous
-2.1%

Producer Price Index is a monthly survey that measures the price changes of goods bought and sold by UK manufacturers.

Input Producer Price Index m/m
2025-01-15 08:00:00
Actual
0.1%
Forecast
0.2%
Previous
0.0%

Producer Price Index is a monthly survey that measures the price changes of goods bought and sold by UK manufacturers.

Output Producer Price Index m/m
2025-01-15 08:00:00
Actual
0.1%
Forecast
0.1%
Previous
0.4%

Producer Price Index is a monthly survey that measures the price changes of goods bought and sold by UK manufacturers.

Output Producer Price Index y/y
2025-01-15 08:00:00
Actual
0.1%
Forecast
0.0%
Previous
-0.5%

Producer Price Index is a monthly survey that measures the price changes of goods bought and sold by UK manufacturers.

Retail Prices Index m/m
2025-01-15 08:00:00
Actual
0.3%
Forecast
0.7%
Previous
0.1% R (0.5%)

The Retail Prices Index (RPI) is the most familiar general purpose domestic measure of inflation in the United Kingdom.

Retail Prices Index y/y
2025-01-15 08:00:00
Actual
3.4%
Forecast
3.8%
Previous
3.6%

The Retail Prices Index (RPI) is the most familiar general purpose domestic measure of inflation in the United Kingdom.

Consumer Price Index m/m
2025-01-15 08:00:00
Actual
0.0%
Forecast
0.0%
Previous
0.3% R (0.0%)

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is the most common measure of changes in prices.

Consumer Price Index y/y
2025-01-15 08:00:00
Actual
0.8%
Forecast
0.8%
Previous
1.6% R (0.8%)

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is the most common measure of changes in prices.

Wholesale Price Index m/m
2025-01-15 08:00:00
Actual
0.1%
Forecast
0.1%
Previous
0.0%

The index of selling prices in wholesale trade measures - on a representative basis - the development of prices of goods sold by wholesalers within Germany to the extent that such sales are included under wholesale, such as contracts concluded with resellers, processors or other bulk purchasers.

Wholesale Price Index y/y
2025-01-15 08:00:00
Actual
0.1%
Forecast
Previous
-0.6%

The index of selling prices in wholesale trade measures - on a representative basis - the development of prices of goods sold by wholesalers within Germany to the extent that such sales are included under wholesale, such as contracts concluded with resellers, processors or other bulk purchasers.

Consumer Price Index m/m
2025-01-15 08:45:00
Actual
0.2%
Forecast
0.2%
Previous
-0.1% R (0.2%)

The Consumer Price Index is the official instrument for measuring inflation.

Consumer Price Index y/y
2025-01-15 08:45:00
Actual
1.3%
Forecast
1.3%
Previous
1.3%

The Consumer Price Index is the official instrument for measuring inflation.

Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices y/y
2025-01-15 08:45:00
Actual
1.8%
Forecast
1.8%
Previous
1.8%

The coverage of the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices is defined in terms of 'household final monetary consumption expenditure', by reference to the national accounts concept of the European System of Accounts.

Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices m/m
2025-01-15 08:45:00
Actual
0.2%
Forecast
0.2%
Previous
-0.1% R (0.2%)

The coverage of the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices is defined in terms of 'household final monetary consumption expenditure', by reference to the national accounts concept of the European System of Accounts.

Consumer Price Index m/m
2025-01-15 09:00:00
Actual
0.5%
Forecast
0.4%
Previous
0.2% R (0.4%)

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a statistical measure of the evolution of the prices of goods and services consumed by the population that reside in family dwellings in Spain.

Final Consumer Price Index y/y
2025-01-15 09:00:00
Actual
2.8%
Forecast
2.8%
Previous
2.4% R (2.8%)

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a statistical measure of the evolution of the prices of goods and services consumed by the population that reside in family dwellings in Spain.

Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices m/m
2025-01-15 09:00:00
Actual
0.4%
Forecast
0.4%
Previous
0.0% R (0.4%)

The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) is a statistical indicator whose objective is to provide a common measurement of inflation which facilitates carrying out international comparisons and therefore examines compliance with fulfilment of the Maastricht Treaty demands for entrance into European Monetary Union.

Final Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices y/y
2025-01-15 09:00:00
Actual
2.8%
Forecast
2.8%
Previous
2.4% R (2.8%)

The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) is a statistical indicator whose objective is to provide a common measurement of inflation which facilitates carrying out international comparisons and therefore examines compliance with fulfilment of the Maastricht Treaty demands for entrance into European Monetary Union.

HBOS House Prices y/y
2025-01-15 10:30:00
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Forecast
3.5%
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3.4%

Halifax is the UK's largest mortgage lender and conducts a wide range of housing research including the long standing Halifax House Price Index.

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-1.8%
Previous
-1.2%

The Industrial Production Index is a business cycle indicator showing the output and activity of industry.

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Actual
Forecast
0.3%
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0.0%

The Industrial Production Index is a business cycle indicator showing the output and activity of industry.

MBA Mortgage Applications
2025-01-15 13:00:00
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-3.7%

The Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey contains 15 indices covering application activity for fixed rate, adjustable rate, conventional and government loans for home purchases and refinances.

Core Consumer Price Index (CPI) m/m
2025-01-15 14:30:00
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Forecast
0.2%
Previous
0.3%

Bureau of Labour Statistics also calculates and publishes indexes for special aggregations, such as energy items, that cut across the above classification scheme.

Core Consumer Price Index (CPI) y/y
2025-01-15 14:30:00
Actual
Forecast
3.3%
Previous
3.3%

Bureau of Labour Statistics also calculates and publishes indexes for special aggregations, such as energy items, that cut across the above classification scheme.

New York Empire Manufacturing Index
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-0.30
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0.20

Index represents a monthly survey of manufacturers in New York State conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

New Motor Vehicle Sales m/m
2025-01-15 14:30:00
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163.6%

This survey collects data on monthly retail sales (in dollars and in units) of new motor vehicles sold in Canada.

Wholesale Sales m/m
2025-01-15 14:30:00
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-0.6%
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1.0%

This survey presents estimates of monthly sales levels for wholesale merchants in Canada, each province and territory.

Fed's Barkin Speaks
2025-01-15 15:00:00
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Fed's Kashkari Speaks
2025-01-15 16:00:00
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Crude Oil Inventories
2025-01-15 16:30:00
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414.6 M Barrels

The Weekly Petroleum Status Report (WPSR) provides timely information on supply and prices of crude oil and principal petroleum products in the context of historical data and forecasts.

Fed's Williams Speaks
2025-01-15 17:00:00
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2025-01-15 20:00:00
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Commonly known as the Beige Book, this report is published eight times per year.

Food Price Index (FPI) m/m
2025-01-15 22:45:00
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-0.1%

The Food Price Index (FPI) measures the price change rate of a fixed basket of food goods and services purchased by households.

RICS House Price Balance
2025-01-16 01:01:00
Actual
Forecast
28%
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25%

RICS House Price Balance.

Employment Change m/m
2025-01-16 01:30:00
Actual
Forecast
14.5
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35.6

The Employment Change indicator is a measurement of new jobs created within the Australian economy throughout the previous month.

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2025-01-16 01:30:00
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Forecast
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67.0%

Participation rate is the ratio between the labour force and the overall size of national population of the same age range.

Unemployment Rate
2025-01-16 01:30:00
Actual
Forecast
4.0%
Previous
3.9%

Unemployment rate: the number of unemployed persons expressed as a percentage of the labour force.

Construction Output y/y
2025-01-16 08:00:00
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Forecast
Previous
-0.7%

Construction output is a monthly estimate of the output of the construction industry in both the private and public sectors.

Construction Output m/m
2025-01-16 08:00:00
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Forecast
0.5%
Previous
-0.4%

Construction output is a monthly estimate of the output of the construction industry in both the private and public sectors.

Industrial Production m/m
2025-01-16 08:00:00
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Forecast
0.1%
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-0.6%

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Industrial Production y/y
2025-01-16 08:00:00
Actual
Forecast
-1.0%
Previous
-0.7%

The Industrial Production index measures the volume of production of the manufacturing, mining and quarrying, and energy supply industries, which covered 18.

Manufacturing Production y/y
2025-01-16 08:00:00
Actual
Forecast
-0.3%
Previous
0.0%

The Index of Manufacturing Production covers the 13 sub-sectors of manufacturing and these are aggregated to form the resulting monthly manufacturing output time series.

Manufacturing Production m/m
2025-01-16 08:00:00
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Forecast
0.2%
Previous
-0.6%

The Index of Manufacturing Production covers the 13 sub-sectors of manufacturing and these are aggregated to form the resulting monthly manufacturing output time series.

Visible Trade Balance
2025-01-16 08:00:00
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Forecast
-18.00 B GBP
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-18.97 B GBP

It represents the difference between imports and exports of goods.

Trade Balance Non EU
2025-01-16 08:00:00
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Forecast
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-7.28 B GBP

A gauge of Britain's trade with countries outside of Europe.

Final Consumer Price Index y/y
2025-01-16 08:00:00
Actual
Forecast
2.6%
Previous
2.2% R (2.6%)

The consumer price index for Germany measures the average price change for all goods and services purchased by households for consumption purposes.

Final Consumer Price Index m/m
2025-01-16 08:00:00
Actual
Forecast
0.4%
Previous
-0.2% R (0.4%)

The consumer price index for Germany measures the average price change for all goods and services purchased by households for consumption purposes.

Final Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices y/y
2025-01-16 08:00:00
Actual
Forecast
2.8%
Previous
2.4% R (2.8%)

The Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices is used to measure inflation in the context of international, mostly inner-European comparisons.

Final Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices m/m
2025-01-16 08:00:00
Actual
Forecast
0.7%
Previous
-0.7% R (0.7%)

The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices is used to measure inflation in the context of international, mostly inner-European comparisons.

Final Consumer Price Index y/y
2025-01-16 10:00:00
Actual
Forecast
1.3%
Previous
1.3%

The Consumer price index measures changes in prices over time of a sample of goods (or basket) assuming that the quantities purchased are constant over two consecutive periods.

Final Consumer Price Index m/m
2025-01-16 10:00:00
Actual
Forecast
0.1%
Previous
-0.1% R (0.1%)

The Consumer price index measures changes in prices over time of a sample of goods (or basket) assuming that the quantities purchased are constant over two consecutive periods.

Final Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices y/y
2025-01-16 10:00:00
Actual
Forecast
1.4%
Previous
1.5% R (1.4%)

The coverage of the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices is defined in terms of 'household final monetary consumption expenditure', by reference to the national accounts concept of the European System of Accounts.

Final Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices m/m
2025-01-16 10:00:00
Actual
Forecast
0.1%
Previous
-0.1% R (0.1%)

The coverage of the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices is defined in terms of 'household final monetary consumption expenditure', by reference to the national accounts concept of the European System of Accounts.

Credit Conditions Survey
2025-01-16 10:30:00
Actual
Forecast
Previous

Bank of England implements the survey of bank and non-bank lenders to maintain monetary stability and financial stability.

Trade Balance
2025-01-16 11:00:00
Actual
Forecast
4.500 B EUR
Previous
5.153 B EUR

It measures the difference between imports and exports data in billions of EUR.

Trade Balance EU
2025-01-16 11:00:00
Actual
Forecast
Previous
-0.66 B EUR

The headline figure, expressed in billions of EUR, is the value of exports to European Union countries minus the value of imports from those countries.

Trade Balance
2025-01-16 11:00:00
Actual
Forecast
7.2 B EUR
Previous
6.8 B EUR

The External trade balance indicator is the difference between exports and imports of goods.

Housing Starts
2025-01-16 14:15:00
Actual
Forecast
256.0
Previous
262.4

The start of construction is defined in terms of the construction work as a whole and not particular housing units within it.

Import Price Index m/m
2025-01-16 14:30:00
Actual
Forecast
-0.2%
Previous
0.1%

Import Price Index measures the change over time in the prices of goods or services purchased from abroad by U.

Import Price Index y/y
2025-01-16 14:30:00
Actual
Forecast
Previous
1.3%

Import Price Index measures the change over time in the prices of goods or services purchased from abroad by U.

Initial Jobless Claims
2025-01-16 14:30:00
Actual
Forecast
210 000
Previous
201 000

Initial Jobless Claims is a report issued by the U.

Philadelphia FED Index
2025-01-16 14:30:00
Actual
Forecast
-7.0
Previous
-16.4

The Business Outlook Survey is a monthly survey of manufacturers in the Third Federal Reserve District.

Retail Sales m/m
2025-01-16 14:30:00
Actual
Forecast
0.6%
Previous
0.7%

Sales include merchandise sold (for cash or credit at retail or wholesale) by establishments primarily engaged in retail trade.

Retail Sales less Autos m/m
2025-01-16 14:30:00
Actual
Forecast
Previous
0.2%

They represent change in the total value of sales at the retail level, excluding automobiles.

Business Inventories m/m
2025-01-16 16:00:00
Actual
Forecast
0.1%
Previous
0.1%

Index represents the change in the total value of goods held in inventory by manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers.

NAHB Housing Market Index
2025-01-16 16:00:00
Actual
Forecast
45
Previous
46

The Housing Market Index (HMI) is based on a monthly survey of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) on current single-family home sales and sales expectations for the next six months.

Natural Gas Storage
2025-01-16 16:30:00
Actual
Forecast
Previous
3373 BCF

This report tracks U.

Fed's Williams Speaks
2025-01-16 17:00:00
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Forecast
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