Ferguson Enterprises (FERG) vs Watsco (WSO.B)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Ferguson Enterprises (FERG) has outperformed Watsco (WSO.B) over the past year, losing 7.7% versus a loss of 22.8%. Over five years, FERG leads with a +48.7% price change compared with +11.9% for WSO.B. Ferguson Enterprises is the larger company by market cap ($42.60 billion vs $12.83 billion), about 3.3 times the size.
On valuation, Ferguson Enterprises trades at a lower trailing P/E (21.7x vs 26.6x for Watsco). Watsco offers the higher dividend yield (3.96% vs 1.93%). Watsco converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 6.9% versus 6.0%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | FERG | WSO.B |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $220.22 | $310.90 |
| Market cap | $42.60B | $12.83B |
| 1-day change | +1.61% | 0.00% |
| YTD return | -2.65% | -8.25% |
| 1-year return | -7.73% | -22.77% |
| 5-year return | +48.66% | +11.87% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 21.68 | 26.64 |
| Forward P/E | 17.33 | — |
| EPS (TTM) | $10.16 | $11.67 |
| Dividend yield | 1.93% | 3.96% |
| Annual dividend | $4.25 | $12.30 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $30.76B | $7.24B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.80% | -4.98% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.86B | $496.99M |
| Gross margin | 30.67% | 28.05% |
| Operating margin | 8.47% | 9.95% |
| Net margin | 6.03% | 6.87% |
| 52-week high | $271.64 | $453.37 |
| 52-week low | $212.13 | $306.82 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -18.93% | -31.42% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | — |
| Avg. price target upside | +29.19% | — |
| Average volume | 2.32M | 98 |
| Shares outstanding | 193.45M | 5.66M |
| Employees | 35,000 | 6,950 |
| Sector | Miscellaneous | Industrials |
| Industry | Miscellaneous | Industrial Distribution |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Ferguson Enterprises is about 3.3 times larger than Watsco by market value ($42.60B vs $12.83B).
- FERG has outperformed WSO.B by 15.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Watsco offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.96% vs 1.93%).
- Ferguson Enterprises grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+3.80% vs -4.98%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Ferguson Enterprises in Miscellaneous and Watsco in Industrials.
About Ferguson Enterprises
FERG stock →Ferguson Enterprises Inc. distributes essential water and air solutions to specialized professional in the United States and Canada.
Miscellaneous · Miscellaneous · 35,000 employees
About Watsco
WSO.B stock →Watsco, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the distribution of air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration equipment, and related parts and supplies in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. It distributes equipment, including residential ducted and ductless air conditioners, such as gas, electric, and oil furnaces; commercial air conditioning and heating equipment systems; and other specialized equipment.
Industrials · Industrial Distribution · 6,950 employees
FERG vs WSO.B FAQ
Which is bigger, Ferguson Enterprises or Watsco?
Ferguson Enterprises (FERG) is larger, with a market capitalization of $42.60B compared with $12.83B for Watsco (WSO.B).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, FERG or WSO.B?
FERG returned -7.73% over the past 12 months, compared with -22.77% for WSO.B (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, FERG or WSO.B?
FERG has the lower trailing P/E at 21.7, versus 26.6 for WSO.B. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Ferguson Enterprises or Watsco?
Watsco has the higher yield at 3.96%, compared with 1.93% for Ferguson Enterprises.
Are Ferguson Enterprises and Watsco in the same industry?
No. Ferguson Enterprises is in the Miscellaneous sector, while Watsco is in Industrials.