Ferguson’s Earnings Report Reveals Opportunities

Ferguson Enterprises’ Q2 earnings report shows strong non-residential growth and modest gains in the residential market.  

Ferguson Enterprises released its Q2 earnings report on August 10, and its findings mirror similarities to what lighting showrooms have observed in their own markets.

While part of the growth is attributed to the handful of strategic acquisitions Ferguson made this year, it’s not the only reason the company is reporting earnings performance that has “outperformed” expectations.   

As Lighting News Now has reported previously, the slack in single-home new construction has been picked up by growing momentum in multifamily and commercial markets.

Kevin Murphy, Ferguson CEO, commented in the Q2 earnings report, “Our associates continued to execute for our customers, driving market outperformance in the second quarter. We delivered another strong quarter of non-residential growth and we returned to growth in residential despite the challenging market backdrop. …Our scale-advantaged business model and consistent cash generation enable us to invest in organic growth, consolidate our markets through acquisitions and return capital to shareholders, all while maintaining a strong balance sheet.”

The Q2 earnings statement reported net sales in the U.S. business increased by 5.0%, with organic revenue growth of 4.0% and a further 1.0% contribution from acquisitions.

According to the report, residential end markets – which represent approximately half of Ferguson’s revenue – “remained subdued.” New residential construction activity was described as “weak” and repair, maintenance and improvement work “remains soft.” Despite those concerns, the company outperformed its markets with residential revenue up 2% in the quarter.

“Our non-residential revenue increased 8% this quarter as our scale, expertise, multi-customer group approach and value-added solutions drove strong share gains in a mixed market. Large capital project activity remained healthy with growth in open order volumes and strong bidding activity,” the report said.

In addition, the adjusted operating profit of $925 million was 2.9% or $26 million above last year. The company also credited recent acquisitions in HVAC, commercial/mechanical, waterworks and industrial with “further strengthening our geographic footprint and specialized capabilities across our customer groups.”

Ferguson’s Q2 Canadian business, on the other hand, was not as robust. “Net sales decreased by 1.9% with organic growth of 1.7% fully offset by 3.6% from a non-core business divestment. Markets have remained challenging in Canada, particularly in residential. Adjusted operating profit of $22 million was $1 million below last year,” the statement read.

Ferguson’s report concluded, “While the economic environment remains uncertain, our performance year-to-date enables the upward revision of our full year guidance. We expect to continue delivering market outperformance by deploying scale locally and leveraging the long-term growth drivers of water infrastructure, large capital projects, climate and comfort and aging and underbuilt housing. We remain confident in our ability to capitalize on these growth drivers as we provide essential water and air solutions for the complex project needs of the specialized professional.”

Potential ahead

Lighting showrooms wishing to remain ahead of the curve need to evaluate opportunities in the non-residential sector within their communities.

Office space is experiencing a resurgence in activity as the work from home culture heads back to the office, although configurations within that environment have changed (cubicles are in the past, shared desks are more common, and companies are requesting numerous relaxed gathering areas for small groups to foster in-person communication).

Boutique retail that offers interactive shopping environments and one-off restaurants that provide distinctive character are other non-residential areas that are increasing in number in cities as well as suburbs. These are among the non-residential opportunities that can be tapped by savvy lighting showrooms with outside sales teams. In essence, today’s commercial environments are specifically being designed to have a residential feel — a specialty well within any showroom’s wheelhouse.   

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