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Ferguson Enterprises Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 10 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 raised, 2 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net sales rose 4.6% on organic growth: Net sales were $8.8 billion, up 4.6%: organic growth of 3.8% and acquisitions of 1.0%, offset by 0.2% from a Canada divestment. Price inflation was in the low single digits. Source
  • Adjusted operating profit rose 2.9%: Reported operating profit was $893 million, up 6.1%, a 10.2% margin. Adjusted operating profit was $932 million, up 2.9%, a 10.7% adjusted margin. Source
  • Five acquisitions across customer groups: Five acquisitions in the quarter: Carrier Great Lakes and Dealers Supply in HVAC, New England Applied Products in Commercial/Mechanical, Hamlett in Waterworks, and PRD Technologies in Industrial. Source
  • Non-residential revenue up 8%: Non-residential revenue rose 8% this quarter. Management credits scale, expertise, multi-customer group approach and value-added solutions in a mixed market. Source
  • Gross margin 20 basis points lower: Gross margin was 31.0%, down 20 basis points. Management said the prior-year figure was temporarily elevated by the timing and extent of supplier price increases. Source
  • Acquisitions and buybacks used cash: In the quarter the company invested $573 million in acquisitions and returned $202 million of surplus capital through share repurchases. Source
  • Net debt to EBITDA at 1.3x: Net debt to adjusted EBITDA was 1.3x at June 30, 2026, up from 1.0x at March 31, 2026 and 1.2x a year earlier. Source
  • Eight acquisitions year-to-date: The eight acquisitions announced year-to-date carry about $1.4 billion of aggregate annualized revenue. Source

“Our associates continued to execute for our customers, driving market outperformance in the second quarter.”

Kevin Murphy, Ferguson CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Adjusted operating margin SourceJanuary 1 - December 31, 20269.5% - 9.8%Raised from 9.4% - 9.8%
Interest expense SourceJanuary 1 - December 31, 2026~$200 millionKept
Capital expenditures SourceJanuary 1 - December 31, 2026$375 - $425 millionRaised from $350 - $400 million
Adjusted effective tax rate SourceJanuary 1 - December 31, 2026~26%Kept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 guidance revised upward for net sales, the low end of the adjusted operating margin range, and capital expenditures. Source
  • New: Definitive agreement signed to acquire FloWorks, a distributor of valves and flow control solutions, after quarter-end. Source
  • Ended: Secondary listing on the London Stock Exchange cancelled; the intention was announced June 16, 2026, and the cancellation took effect July 20, 2026. Source
  • Guidance kept: Interest expense and adjusted effective tax rate guidance were kept at their prior levels. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net sales rose 4.6% on organic growth: Net sales were $8.8 billion, up 4.6%: organic growth of 3.8% and acquisitions of 1.0%, offset by 0.2% from a Canada divestment. Price inflation was in the low single digits. Source
  • Adjusted operating profit rose 2.9%: Reported operating profit was $893 million, up 6.1%, a 10.2% margin. Adjusted operating profit was $932 million, up 2.9%, a 10.7% adjusted margin. Source
  • Diluted EPS rose on buybacks and profit: Reported diluted EPS was $3.43, up 6.9%. Adjusted diluted EPS was $3.39, up 5.3%, on higher adjusted operating profit and share repurchases. Source

Segments and regions

  • US sales rose 5.0%: US net sales were $8,343 million, up 5.0%, with organic growth of 4.0% and acquisitions adding 1.0%. US adjusted operating profit was $925 million, up 2.9%. Source
  • Canada sales fell 1.9%: Canada net sales were $408 million, down 1.9%. Organic growth of 1.7% was offset by a non-core divestment. Adjusted operating profit was $22 million, $1 million below last year. Source
  • Residential returned to growth: Residential, about half of revenue, rose 2% in the quarter, which management said outperforms its markets. Source

“While the economic environment remains uncertain, our performance year-to-date enables the upward revision of our full year guidance.”

Kevin Murphy, Ferguson CEO

Products and customers

  • Five acquisitions across customer groups: Five acquisitions in the quarter: Carrier Great Lakes and Dealers Supply in HVAC, New England Applied Products in Commercial/Mechanical, Hamlett in Waterworks, and PRD Technologies in Industrial. Source
  • Waterworks adds treatment process solutions: Hamlett Environmental Technologies adds process solutions for water and wastewater treatment in Michigan, diversifying the Waterworks portfolio. Source
  • Commercial HVAC engineering added: New England Applied Products is a manufacturer's representative and engineering firm for high-performance commercial HVAC systems in the Northeast. Source

Demand and order book

  • Non-residential revenue up 8%: Non-residential revenue rose 8% this quarter. Management credits scale, expertise, multi-customer group approach and value-added solutions in a mixed market. Source
  • Large project open orders grew: Open order volumes on large capital projects grew, and management pointed to continued bidding activity. Source
  • Residential demand remained subdued: Residential end markets, about half of revenue, remained subdued. Management cited new residential construction and RMI work, which remained soft. Source

“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.”

Kevin Murphy, Ferguson CEO

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Gross margin 20 basis points lower: Gross margin was 31.0%, down 20 basis points. Management said the prior-year figure was temporarily elevated by the timing and extent of supplier price increases. Source
  • Cost discipline alongside growth investment: Management said it balanced disciplined cost management with investment for future growth, which it described as driving operating leverage. Source
  • Adjusted figures exclude acquisition amortization: Adjusted operating profit excludes $37 million of amortization of acquired intangibles and $2 million of corporate restructuring expenses in the quarter. Source
  • Parent domicile transition costs: Corporate restructuring expenses relate to transition activities after the parent company's establishment of its U.S. domicile. Source
  • Central costs narrowed: Central and other costs were $15 million in the quarter against $16 million a year earlier. Six-month central costs were $29 million against $36 million. Source

Capital, cash and returns to shareholders

  • Acquisitions and buybacks used cash: In the quarter the company invested $573 million in acquisitions and returned $202 million of surplus capital through share repurchases. Source
  • Quarterly dividend of $0.89 declared: Management said it declared a quarterly dividend of $0.89, the same amount as in the prior quarter. Source
  • Net debt to EBITDA at 1.3x: Net debt to adjusted EBITDA was 1.3x at June 30, 2026, up from 1.0x at March 31, 2026 and 1.2x a year earlier. Source
  • Six-month operating cash flow lower: Six-month operating cash flow was $716 million against $1,123 million a year earlier, with inventories and receivables absorbing cash. Source

Strategy and investment

  • Eight acquisitions year-to-date: The eight acquisitions announced year-to-date carry about $1.4 billion of aggregate annualized revenue. Source
  • Model funds organic growth and returns: Management described a scale-advantaged model with consistent cash generation that funds organic growth, acquisitions and capital returns. Source
  • Long-term growth drivers named: Management named water infrastructure, large capital projects, climate and comfort, and aging and underbuilt housing as long-term growth drivers. Source

Coming up, as management said on 10 August 2026

  • FloWorks closing in third quarter: FloWorks acquisition expected to close in the third quarter; updated guidance does not include its expected impact. Source
  • Dividend payable October 7: The $0.89 quarterly dividend is payable October 7, 2026 to holders of record as of August 21, 2026. Source
  • Third-quarter results and call date: Results for the period ending September 30, 2026 are scheduled for November 9, 2026, with a call from 8:30 a.m. ET. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Operating locations Sourceover 1,700
Addressable market Source$340 billion

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management said the economic environment remains uncertain. Source
  • Demand: Residential end markets, about half of revenue, remained subdued; management cited new residential construction and RMI work. Source
  • Demand: Canada markets remained challenging, particularly in residential. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: Management had expected these three to close in the second quarter; the current release reports five acquisitions completed in the quarter.
  • Met: The current release reports the cancellation was announced June 16, 2026 and took effect July 20, 2026.
  • Met: Management said it continued to outperform its markets, with residential revenue up 2% and non-residential revenue up 8%.

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.