Company
Ferguson PLC
LON:FERG
We are the world’s leading specialist distributor of plumbing and heating products. We supply plumbing and heating products to professional contractors and consumers in the USA, UK, Nordics, Canada and Central Europe. We are listed in the UK on the London Stock exchange (LSE:FERG) and are a constituent of the FTSE100 index. Ferguson American Depository Receipts (ADRs) are traded on the highest tier Over-The-Counter market in the USA under the symbol FERGY.
80 stories
Ferguson hikes dividend 15% and extends share buyback despite slowing growth
For the coming year, guidance was given for “low single digits” of net sales growth, with adjusted operating margin of 9.3% to 9.9%
Ferguson expected to deliver punchy full-year numbers
“Key will be the trading conditions over August/September and the outlook," said analysts at UBS
Ferguson: Pats on the back all round for the heating and plumbing group
“We see the business as well-positioned to take share consistently in the future,” Barclays said in a short note to clients
Ferguson positioned to be inflation winner according to Barclays
“We expect these conditions to continue throughout the first half of the current year"
Ferguson hands out the cash as sales and profits climb
Investors will also get a higher interim dividend of 72.9c payable in May
Ferguson sells UK business Wolseley to US private equity company
The plumber's merchant said its current intention is to return most of the proceeds to shareholders via a special dividend
Ferguson says revenues and profits both flowing steadily
Underlying operating profits rose by 11.8% on revenue up 3.1% in the first quarter
Archive
FTSE 100 ends up slightly; Northern Ireland protocol agreement sealed
Blimey, a bit of give and take in negotiations between the UK and EU. Which side is giving and which is taking?
Builders and building materials
Ferguson and Kingspan get downgrades from JPMorgan as valuations look full
Ferguson and Kingspan were both cut to ‘neutral’ ratings, with both shares trading significantly above the long-term average
Ferguson says trading steadily improved since April
"Despite the challenges of COVID-19, our trading improved in the fourth quarter," said chief executive Kevin Murphy
Ferguson says Wolseley UK revenues plunge 60% in April due to lockdown
The FTSE 100-listed firm said it still intends to push ahead with plans for a demerger of Wolseley this year
Ferguson upgraded by Credit Suisse, predicts dividend will resume later in 2020
Credit Suisse has set a price target of 6,181p for the plumbing products firm.
Ferguson quickly U-turns on dividend and share buyback due to coronavirus impact
The plumbing and heating group has also shelved plans for a potential Wall Street listing
Ferguson outpaces flat market, says "too early" to tell about coronavirus
Ferguson said the demerger process for Wolseley UK is “on track” for completion within the current calendar year, while an announcement on a potential listing on Wall Street will be made “later in the spring”
Ferguson seeks to avoid Unilever-style fall-out with US listing plans
Under a primary US listing, it is likely that Ferguson would move to US standards of governance and corporate responsibility in line with domestic peers
Builders and building materials
UBS offers mixed picture on building material firms as Ferguson upped to ‘buy’ while Travis Perkins knocked to ‘sell’
The Swiss bank said the market was "over-optimistic" about a recovery in the Uk market, while Travis Perkin's was unlikely to get the same benefits from competitor disruption in 2020 as it had done in the prior year
Ferguson brings in Canadian boss to manage demerging UK arm
Simon Oakland will become interim chief executive of Wolseley UK when Mark Higson leaves the company on 31 January, until a permanent successor is found
Ferguson beats flat US markets as outlook remains "modest"
The engineer is planning to demerge its lower-margin UK business, Wolseley UK, in 2020
Archive
RBS and Astrazeneca could provide big contrast on Thursday
Shares in Astra hit all-time highs in September after the FTSE 100-listed group reported updated results on the efficacy of Brilinta
Ferguson predicts outperformance in second half despite flat US market
The US market has become the prime focus for Ferguson after announcing in September that it would be spinning out its UK division
Ferguson rises after slightly better-than-expected results
The board expects to make further good progress in the year ahead.
Archive
FTSE 100 closes firmly in red as US manufacturing data sends markets reeling
FTSE 100 ended the day down 47.89 points at 7,360.32, while the FTSE 250 also fell, losing 62.10 points at 19,874.57
Archive
How much longer can Greggs stay on a roll?
Plumbing and heating products giant Ferguson will also deliver full-year results on Tuesday
Ferguson plans separate listing for former UK parent Wolseley
The plumbing and heating supplier said the demerger will enable both US and UK arms “to focus on accelerating the execution of their independent plans, providing clear investment propositions for each business”
Ferguson downgraded by Berenberg after US sales growth slows
Berenberg cut its recommendation on the shares to ‘hold’ from ‘buy’ and lowered its target price to 6,000p from 6,500p.
Ferguson jumps as US fund manager Trian reveals it has a amassed a near 6% holding in the plumbers’ merchant
“Trian believes that Ferguson is an attractive business that trades at a discount to comparable US peers,” said the US group, which is run by veteran activist investor Nelson Peltz
Investments and investor services
Maistro shares to become just a blurred memory
A look at the day's major movers, including Great Western Mining, Majestic Wine, Ascent, Ferguson and Just Group
Ashtead could be the next company sunk by record US rainfall
Since the start of 2019, areas of the US have been enduring multiple months of flash flooding as torrential rainfall has engulfed large portions of the Midwest and the South
Ferguson unveils buyback as softer US sales disappoint
Revenue growth softened to 6.2% in the third quarter from 8.2% in the first half of the year.
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes higher as trade tensions ease
The UK's index of leading shares finished the first day of the trading week around 46 points higher at 7,378
Archive
Tesco to provide the nibbles as the markets continue to eye US trade and Tory leadership battles
Aide from Tesco's latest update, a number of lesser-known blue chip firms will also report in the Week Ahead including British American Tobacco, Ferguson, DS Smith, and Halma
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes in positive territory, boosted by better-than-expected US March jobs figures as Brexit uncertainty continues
Mid-cap cousin FTSE 250 was also lower, shedding around 56 points at 19,507
Archive
Lloyds and other ex-dividends to knock 11 points off FTSE 100 on quiet Thursday in the City
Away from the ex-divs, Saga, Electrocomponents and EntertainmentOne are all due to come to the market with trading updates or results
Archive
US jobs to provide main focus, though UK PMIs still key as Brexit SNAFU continues
Aside from the UK and US data - and Brexit - corporate news in the week ahead will include updates from blue-chip budget airline easyjet and Ladbrokes Coral owner GVC Holdings
Ferguson sell-off overdone, says JP Morgan as it upgrades rating after first-half results
JP Morgan raised its rating on Ferguson to ‘overweight’ from ‘neutral’ and left its target price at 5,950p
Archive
FTSE 100 ends near flat; Prime Minister May says she will resign once Brexit deal passed
Mrs May reportedly told MPs that she will resign before the next phase of the Brexit negotiations.
Ferguson to shift headquarters to the UK as it sees profits at lower end of market forecasts
"After a strong revenue performance in the first half our growth rate has moderated recently in line with conditions in our markets,” said chief executive John Martin
Archive
FTSE 100 closes higher as global growth fears ease, but Carnival shares sink
The UK's premier index closed up nearly 19 points at 7,169, while FTSE 250 added over 96 at 8,896
Archive
Fizzy drinks on the table as Fevertree Drinks and AG Barr both provide updates
Aside from the fizzy drinks firms, the Day Ahead will also bring updates from plumbing and heating products supplier Ferguson and North West Water firm United Utilities
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes lower as Brexit fears permeate markets
The UK's premier share index closed down around 30 points at 7,177
Archive
Brexit date arrives but March 29 to be a damp squib although parliamentary vote might not be
Aside from the latest instalment of the Brexit saga, the week ahead will bring updates from housebuilder Bellway, tobacco firm Imperial Brands, and soft drinks group Fevertree
Peel Hunt adjusts ratings in UK building materials and merchanting sector after cutting estimates, targets
Peel Hunt said it upgraded all ratings for Ferguson PLC, Keller Group PLC, and Volution Group PLC to ‘add’ from ‘hold’
Sterling slump: Who’s benefitting?
On Monday, fresh Brexit volatility pushed the pound to a yearly low against the dollar but despite the turmoil, some firms are profiting handsomely
Ferguson sees first quarter trading profit, revenue rise thanks to US growth, UK still weak
The FTSE 100-listed plumbing and heating products distributor saw its trading profit rise by 9.9% to US$432mln in the three months to 31 October 2018, up from US$393mln a year earlier
Archive
FTSE 100 closes firmly lower as investors realise US/China trade dispute continues
The UK index of leading shares finished down over 39 points lower at 7,022.
Archive
Ferguson and Greencore among highlights in Tuesday’s diary
The US economic outlook, the order book and restructuring will all be among the key points as Ferguson updates investors.
Archive
Fashion firms and a housebuilder, plus US jobs data to provide interest in the first week of Advent
Ted Baker PLC and Joules PLC will fly the fashion flag, while Berkeley Group PLC will provide the mortar on a fairly quiet corporate diary at the start of December
FTSE 100 closes at session peak after strong rebound in tandem with US stocks
At the close, the UK blue chip index was 41.12 points higher at 7,004.10, the session peak, and well above the early low of 6,995.99
Archive
Lloyds, Debenhams, WPP and ECB to dominate day-ahead's financial calendar
The day ahead includes third quarter trading updates from Lloyds and WPP along with full year results from Debenhams and the ECB's policy decision.
Archive
Third-quarter updates from Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, and RBS all due in coming week
Aside from the banking trio, updates are also due in the week ahead from the likes of WPP, Whitbread, International Airlines Group, Ryanair, Glencore and Antofagasta
Ferguson's share price is up with events, says Numis Securities
Tuesday's results were mostly positive but the share price has almost reached Numis's price target so it has abandoned its "add" recommendation
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes higher midweek, but Tesco takes a hit
Mid-cap cousin FTSE 250 also closed in positive territory - up around 35 points to stand at 20,300
Ferguson hikes the dividend as US industrial growth drives profit uplift
The plumbing and heating products firm proposed a final dividend of 131.9 US cents, bringing the total dividend to 189.3 US cents, 21% ahead of last year
FTSE 100 finishes in negative territory; Royal Mail slumps - again
FTSE 100 was on the losing team all day and closed down over 21 points at 7,474
Archive
Ferguson to report robust full year sales growth as US construction market booms
The day ahead includes full year earnings from Ferguson and Revolution Bars
Archive
Jack’s store roll-out in focus as Tesco reports first half results
The week ahead includes Tesco interims, full-year earnings from DFS Furniture and Ferguson, an Electrocomponents trading update and the US non-farm payrolls report
Investments and investor services
Ferguson boast strong US growth as quarterly revenues rise
Later this month the plumbing products firm will pay out US$1bn to shareholders via a special dividend but there are seemingly positives in the ongoing business too
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes in red for second day this week as Trump trade threats turn real
The market has been seeming complacent on Trump’s tough protectionist rhetoric..until now
Archive
Blue chip updates from Ashtead and Ferguson unlikely to detract from England World Cup post-mortem
Aside from Ashtead and Ferguson, the Day Ahead includes updates from mid cap high street retailer Footasylum and Bonmarche, plus fixed lines provider Telecom Plus
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 ends in red as trade war beckons between two economic giants
The UK premier share index closed 2.58 points, or 0.03% to stand at 7,631
Archive
Dixons Carphone has already had a kicking so investors will be hoping full-year numbers provide some relief
The Week Ahead also includes updates from blue chips Ashtead Group and Ferguson, plus mid-cap housebuilder Berkley Group, and the latest Bank of England interest rate decision
Archive
Asia to drive quarterly earnings growth at HSBC and Standard Chartered
Another busy week of earnings from FTSE 350 companies awaits
FTSE 100 closes firmly higher despite disappointing service sector stats
The UK bluechip-benchmark closed over 165 points higher at 7,199, while the FTSE 250 added over 311 points at 19,576
Archive
British Airways owner IAG and rival easyJet expected to continue March airline traffic boost
The day ahead includes March traffic from blue chip airlines easyJet PLC and British Airways owner International Airlines Group PLC, plus a trading update from Electrocomponents PLC
Archive
Topps Tiles, IAG, easyJet, Electrocomponents and US jobs in focus after Easter break
The week ahead includes interims from Topps Tiles, traffic statistics from easyJet and IAG, a trading statement from Electrocomponents and the US non-farm payrolls report
Ferguson shares jump as strong US housing market boosts first-half profits
The company proposed a special dividend and share consolidation of about US$1bn
FTSE 100 stages rebound as trade war fears ease
In the currency markets, the pound shed 0.17% against the Euro, and lost 0.46% against the US dollar
Archive
Ferguson's organic growth rates are likely to be the main points of interest
Also previewed: Irn-Bru maker AG Barr and water company United Utilities
Archive
Utilities dominate week ahead with updates from Pennon, United Utilities and SSE
The week ahead includes trading updates from Pennon, United Utilities and SSE, along with interims from DFS Furniture and full year results from Moss Bros and AG Barr
Ferguson trading at material discount to US peers, says Numis
US tax changes will boost cash as well as earnings. Ferguson might use that cash on acquisitions, or share buybacks, or both
Ferguson shares rise on expected US tax benefit, raised price target
Liberum analysts said that the story is about more than just a tax cut
Investments and investor services
FTSE 100 closes in red as big miners weigh
FTSE 100 closed around 11 points down, while the FTSE 250 dropped almost 65 points
Archive
On Tap: Update from Ferguson to show name change to US focus fully justified
Day ahead includes updates from renamed blue chip plumbing supplies firm Ferguson PLC and from mid cap spread betting firm and broker IG Group PLC
FTSE 100 closes higher; miners lag and Brexit wranglings continue
FTSE 100 closed over 38 points higher on the day to 7,338; FTSE 250 shares added over 81
Archive
US jobs to dominate with December rate hike expected, plus updates from Stagecoach, Berkeley Group
The Week Ahead diary includes the December US jobs data, plus corporate updates from Stagecoach PLC, Ferguson PLC, IG Group PLC, and Berkeley Group PLC
Ferguson higher as strong US performance offsets weak UK growth; unveils share buy-back
The FTSE 100-listed heating and plumbing products supplier – formerly known as Wolseley – said trading profit from ongoing business rose to £1.03bn in the year to July 31, up from £827mln a year earlier
FTSE 100 closes higher, boosted by weak sterling and Ferguson
The pound's weakness is the source of the Footsie's late strength
Archive
Healthier options expected to help drive growth at food-on-the-go specialist Greggs
Day ahead includes a trading update from food-on-the-go specialist Greggs PLC, and first half results from Ferguson PLC - the plumbing supplies group formerly known as Wolseley
Archive
Tesco and Greggs to give a taste of high street conditions; hurricanes could have blown away US jobs
Week ahead to include first half results from supermarkets giant Tesco PLC, an update from high bakery chain Greggs PLC (LON:GRG), and the latest US jobs data