Core Insights - The plumbing-supplies company exceeded sales and earnings estimates for its fiscal fourth quarter [1] Group 1 - The company reported strong performance in its fiscal fourth quarter, indicating robust demand in the plumbing supplies sector [1]

Core Insights - Ferguson Enterprises Inc. reported strong results for the year, highlighting the effectiveness of its strategy in a challenging market environment [1] - The company focused on key growth areas, completed nine acquisitions, increased its dividend, and continued its share buyback program [1] Financial Performance - The company’s associates delivered strong results, indicating robust operational performance [1] - Ferguson maintained a strong financial position while executing its growth strategies [1]

Earnings Reports - Ferguson Enterprises Inc. is expected to report quarterly earnings of $2.88 per share on revenue of $8.41 billion [2] - Brand House Collective Inc. is anticipated to post a quarterly loss of 74 cents per share on revenue of $77.63 million [2] - Evolution Petroleum Corp. is projected to report quarterly earnings of 1 cent per share on revenue of $20.90 million [2] Stock Performance - Ferguson shares increased by 0.6% to $215.87 in after-hours trading [2] - Adtran Holdings Inc. shares fell by 10% to $9.40 following the announcement of a $150 million convertible senior notes offering [2] - Brand House Collective shares rose by 1.6% to $1.96 in after-hours trading [2] - Dave & Buster's Entertainment Inc. shares dropped by 17.3% to $20.00 after reporting weaker-than-expected second-quarter results [2] - Evolution Petroleum shares gained 1.5% to $5.35 in after-hours trading [2] Financial Performance - Dave & Buster's reported second-quarter revenue of $557.41 million, missing analyst estimates of $562.78 million [2] - The company reported adjusted earnings of 40 cents per share, falling short of estimates of 92 cents per share [2]

Core Viewpoint - Ferguson plc (FERG) has shown a recent downtrend, losing 5.2% over the past week, but a hammer chart pattern suggests a potential trend reversal as buying interest may be emerging to counteract selling pressure [1][2]. Technical Analysis - The hammer chart pattern indicates a minor difference between opening and closing prices, with a long lower wick, suggesting that the stock may be nearing a bottom and that selling pressure could be exhausting [4][5]. - This pattern typically forms during a downtrend when bears have control, but the emergence of buying interest at the day's low can signal a potential reversal [5][6]. Fundamental Analysis - Recent upward revisions in earnings estimates for FERG are viewed as a bullish indicator, correlating strongly with near-term stock price movements [7]. - The consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased by 0.1% over the last 30 days, indicating that analysts are optimistic about the company's earnings potential [8]. Analyst Sentiment - FERG holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks, which typically outperform the market [9][10]. - The Zacks Rank serves as a timing indicator, suggesting that the company's prospects are beginning to improve, further supporting the potential for a trend reversal [10].

Earnings Report - Ferguson Enterprises Inc. is set to release its fourth-quarter earnings results on September 16, with expected earnings of $3.01 per share, an increase from $2.98 per share in the same period last year [1] - The company is projected to report quarterly revenue of $8.39 billion, up from $7.95 billion a year earlier [1] Dividend Declaration - On September 11, Ferguson's board declared a dividend of 83 cents per share [2] - Following the announcement, Ferguson Enterprises shares rose by 0.7%, closing at $225.72 [2] Analyst Ratings - Wells Fargo analyst Sam Reid maintained an Overweight rating and raised the price target from $230 to $250 [4] - Morgan Stanley analyst Annelies Vermeulen also maintained an Overweight rating, increasing the price target from $195 to $220 [4] - Truist Securities analyst Keith Hughes maintained a Buy rating [4] - Oppenheimer analyst Scott Schneeberger maintained an Outperform rating and raised the price target from $189 to $235 [4] - RBC Capital analyst Mike Dahl maintained an Outperform rating, increasing the price target from $189 to $231 [4]

Earnings Results - Ferguson Enterprises Inc. is set to release its fourth-quarter earnings results on September 16, with expected earnings of $3.01 per share, an increase from $2.98 per share in the same period last year [1] - The company is projected to report quarterly revenue of $8.39 billion, compared to $7.95 billion a year earlier [1] Dividend Declaration - On September 11, Ferguson's board declared a dividend of 83 cents per share [2] - Following the announcement, Ferguson Enterprises shares rose by 0.7%, closing at $225.72 [2] Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Wells Fargo analyst Sam Reid maintained an Overweight rating and raised the price target from $230 to $250 [4] - Morgan Stanley analyst Annelies Vermeulen also maintained an Overweight rating, increasing the price target from $195 to $220 [4] - Truist Securities analyst Keith Hughes maintained a Buy rating [4] - Oppenheimer analyst Scott Schneeberger maintained an Outperform rating and raised the price target from $189 to $235 [4] - RBC Capital analyst Mike Dahl maintained an Outperform rating, increasing the price target from $189 to $231 [4]

Company Overview - Ferguson plc is currently ranked 2 in the Zacks Sector Rank among 189 individual stocks in the Industrial Products sector, indicating strong performance relative to peers [2] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), suggesting a favorable outlook based on earnings estimate revisions and improving earnings outlooks [3] Performance Metrics - Ferguson plc has achieved a year-to-date return of approximately 29.1%, significantly outperforming the average return of 6.1% for Industrial Products companies [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ferguson's full-year earnings has increased by 0.5% over the past quarter, reflecting improved analyst sentiment [4] Industry Context - Ferguson plc is part of the Manufacturing - General Industrial industry, which includes 41 companies and currently holds a 53 rank in the Zacks Industry Rank [6] - The average gain for stocks in this industry is 7% year-to-date, further highlighting Ferguson's superior performance [6] Comparative Analysis - Another notable performer in the Industrial Products sector is Graham (GHM), which has seen a year-to-date increase of 8.6% and has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [5] - Both Ferguson plc and Graham are expected to continue their solid performance, making them attractive options for investors in the Industrial Products sector [7]

Core Insights - Trout Capital Advisors acted as the exclusive financial advisor for HPS Specialties in its sale to Ferguson Enterprises, enhancing Ferguson's position in the specialty engineered product market [1][2] - The acquisition closed on June 16, 2025, marking a strategic advancement for Ferguson and expanding its footprint along the East Coast [2] - The sell-side process was competitive, attracting interest from both strategic acquirers and private equity investors, and was completed in under six months [3] Company Insights - HPS Specialties is a leading distributor and manufacturer's representative of specialty engineered products for HVAC, plumbing, and hydronic systems [1] - Ferguson Enterprises is a Fortune 500 company based in Newport News, Virginia, focused on providing innovative plumbing and HVAC solutions [2] Leadership and Advisory - HPS Specialties' leadership expressed appreciation for Trout Capital Advisors, highlighting their role in preparing the company for negotiations and securing a partnership with Ferguson [4] - Trout Capital Advisors is a boutique investment banking firm specializing in lower-middle market businesses, particularly founder- and family-owned companies [5]

For those looking to find strong Industrial Products stocks, it is prudent to search for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. Is Ferguson plc (FERG) one of those stocks right now? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Industrial Products peers, we might be able to answer that question.Ferguson plc is a member of the Industrial Products sector. This group includes 190 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #5. The Zacks Secto ...

Core Viewpoint - Ferguson Wellman Capital Management sold a significant portion of its shares in UnitedHealth Group, indicating potential concerns about the company's performance and outlook [1][2]. Company Overview - UnitedHealth Group is one of the largest healthcare companies in the U.S., operating across insurance, care delivery, and pharmacy benefit management, which supports a broad customer base and recurring revenue streams [4]. - The company reported a trailing twelve months (TTM) revenue of $410.06 billion and a net income of $22.11 billion, with a dividend yield of 2.95% [2][6]. Recent Performance - UnitedHealth's stock has underperformed significantly, with a one-year price change of -41.5%, and it is trading 52.5% below its 52-week high as of July 9, 2025 [5][10]. - The stock closed at $304.10 on July 11, 2025, and has underperformed the S&P 500 by 52.8 percentage points over the past year [5]. Challenges Faced - The company has faced multiple challenges, including a significant rise in medical costs, leading to a withdrawal of its earnings guidance [5][10]. - Allegations of Medicare billing fraud and secret bonuses to nursing homes have surfaced, contributing to a turbulent year for the company [8][9]. - The abrupt resignation of CEO Andrew Witty in mid-May has added to the company's instability [8]. Future Outlook - Despite current challenges, UnitedHealth has appointed former CEO Stephen J. Hemsley back to the role and expects to return to growth in 2026, with long-term earnings per share growth projected at 13% to 16% [10].