FERG
Ferguson plc
Industrial - Distribution
Market Cap$49.03B
5Y Perf.+218.4%
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Stock Comparison
FERG vs MSM
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
MSM
MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.
Industrial - Distribution
Market Cap$5.86B
5Y Perf.+51.4%
FERG vs MSM — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | FERG | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Industrial - Distribution | Industrial - Distribution |
| Market Cap | $49.03B | $5.86B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $31.63B | $3.81B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $2.07B | $205M |
| Gross Margin | 30.7% | 40.7% |
| Operating Margin | 9.2% | 8.4% |
| Forward P/E | 22.6x | 24.1x |
| Total Debt | $5.97B | $539M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $674M | $56M |
FERG vs MSM — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
FERG
MSM
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferguson plc (FERG) | 100 | 318.4 | +218.4% |
| MSC Industrial Dire… (MSM) | 100 | 151.4 | +51.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: FERG vs MSM
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: FERG leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for capital preservation and lower volatility and dividend income and shareholder returns. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
FERG
Ferguson plc
The Growth Play
FERG carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 3.8%, EPS growth 9.3%, 3Y rev CAGR 2.5%
- 382.9% 10Y total return vs MSM's 87.8%
- 3.8% revenue growth vs MSM's -1.3%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
MSM
MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.
The Income Pick
MSM is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 4 yrs, beta 0.86, yield 3.2%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.86, Low D/E 38.6%, current ratio 1.68x
- Beta 0.86, yield 3.2%, current ratio 1.68x
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | FERG | 3.8% revenue growth vs MSM's -1.3% |
| Value | FERG | Lower P/E (22.6x vs 24.1x) |
| Quality / Margins | FERG | 6.6% margin vs MSM's 5.4% |
| Stability / Safety | MSM | Beta 0.86 vs FERG's 1.24, lower leverage |
| Dividends | MSM | 3.2% yield, 4-year raise streak, vs FERG's 1.0% |
| Momentum (1Y) | FERG | +51.6% vs MSM's +43.8% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | FERG | 11.8% ROA vs MSM's 8.2%, ROIC 18.0% vs 12.3% |
FERG vs MSM — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
FERG vs MSM — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLMSMLAGGINGFERG
FERGFerguson plc
2leads
MSMMSC Industrial Direct…
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs FERGMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
MSM4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
MSM4/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
FERG6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
FERG5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
MSM2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
MSM2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MSM leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
FERG is the larger business by revenue, generating $31.6B annually — 8.3x MSM's $3.8B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 6.6% (FERG) to 5.4% (MSM). On growth, MSM holds the edge at +4.0% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | FERGFerguson plc | MSMMSC Industrial Di… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $31.6B | $3.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $3.3B | $414M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $2.1B | $205M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $1.0B | $167M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +30.7% | +40.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +9.2% | +8.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +6.6% | +5.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +3.2% | +4.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -2.0% | +4.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +2.9% | +12.0% |
MSM leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
MSM leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 27.1x trailing earnings, FERG trades at a 8% valuation discount to MSM's 29.4x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, MSM's 15.7x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than FERG's 18.2x.
| Metric | FERGFerguson plc | MSMMSC Industrial Di… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $49.0B | $5.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $54.3B | $6.3B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 27.06x | 29.41x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 22.63x | 24.15x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 1.59x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 18.23x | 15.70x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.59x | 1.55x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 8.61x | 4.20x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 30.59x | 24.33x |
MSM leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
FERG leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
FERG delivers a 35.1% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $35 in annual profit, vs $15 for MSM. MSM carries lower financial leverage with a 0.39x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to FERG's 1.02x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), FERG scores 6/9 vs MSM's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | FERGFerguson plc | MSMMSC Industrial Di… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +35.1% | +14.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +11.8% | +8.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +18.0% | +12.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +22.6% | +17.5% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.02x | 0.39x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $5.3B | $483M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $674M | $56M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $6.0B | $539M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 15.59x | 12.56x |
FERG leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
FERG leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in FERG five years ago would be worth $20,448 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $12,940 for MSM. Over the past 12 months, FERG leads with a +51.6% total return vs MSM's +43.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors FERG at 23.0% vs MSM's 8.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | FERGFerguson plc | MSMMSC Industrial Di… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +12.9% | +24.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +51.6% | +43.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +86.0% | +26.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +104.5% | +29.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +382.9% | +87.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +23.0% | +8.2% |
FERG leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
MSM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
MSM is the less volatile stock with a 0.86 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than FERG's 1.24 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. MSM currently trades 99.0% from its 52-week high vs FERG's 92.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | FERGFerguson plc | MSMMSC Industrial Di… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.24x | 0.86x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $271.64 | $106.05 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $166.04 | $74.30 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +92.8% | +99.0% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 48.6 | 64.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.4M | 598K |
MSM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
MSM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates FERG as "Buy" and MSM as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 7.5% upside for FERG (target: $271) vs -6.9% for MSM (target: $98). For income investors, MSM offers the higher dividend yield at 3.23% vs FERG's 0.97%.
| Metric | FERGFerguson plc | MSMMSC Industrial Di… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $271.00 | $97.75 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 14 | 28 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.0% | +3.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 4 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $2.45 | $3.39 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.9% | +0.7% |
MSM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
MSM leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). FERG leads in 2 (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns).
Best OverallMSC Industrial Direct Co., … (MSM)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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FERG vs MSM: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is FERG or MSM a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Ferguson plc (FERG) is the stronger pick with 3.
8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -1. 3% for MSC Industrial Direct Co. , Inc. (MSM). Ferguson plc (FERG) offers the better valuation at 27. 1x trailing P/E (22. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Ferguson plc (FERG) a "Buy" — based on 14 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — FERG or MSM?
On trailing P/E, Ferguson plc (FERG) is the cheapest at 27.
1x versus MSC Industrial Direct Co. , Inc. at 29. 4x. On forward P/E, Ferguson plc is actually cheaper at 22. 6x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — FERG or MSM?
Over the past 5 years, Ferguson plc (FERG) delivered a total return of +104.
5%, compared to +29. 4% for MSC Industrial Direct Co. , Inc. (MSM). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: FERG returned +382. 9% versus MSM's +87. 8%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — FERG or MSM?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), MSC Industrial Direct Co.
, Inc. (MSM) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 86β versus Ferguson plc's 1. 24β — meaning FERG is approximately 44% more volatile than MSM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, MSC Industrial Direct Co. , Inc. (MSM) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 39% versus 102% for Ferguson plc — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — FERG or MSM?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Ferguson plc (FERG) is pulling ahead at 3.
8% versus -1. 3% for MSC Industrial Direct Co. , Inc. (MSM). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Ferguson plc grew EPS 9. 3% year-over-year, compared to -22. 1% for MSC Industrial Direct Co. , Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, FERG leads at 2. 5% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — FERG or MSM?
Ferguson plc (FERG) is the more profitable company, earning 6.
0% net margin versus 5. 3% for MSC Industrial Direct Co. , Inc. — meaning it keeps 6. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: FERG leads at 8. 5% versus 8. 3% for MSM. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MSM leads at 40. 8%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is FERG or MSM more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Ferguson plc (FERG) trades at 22.
6x forward P/E versus 24. 1x for MSC Industrial Direct Co. , Inc. — 1. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for FERG: 7. 5% to $271. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — FERG or MSM?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
MSC Industrial Direct Co. , Inc. (MSM) offers the highest yield at 3. 2%, versus 1. 0% for Ferguson plc (FERG).
09Is FERG or MSM better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, MSC Industrial Direct Co.
, Inc. (MSM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 86), 3. 2% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MSM: +87. 8%, FERG: +382. 9%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between FERG and MSM?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: FERG is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; MSM is a small-cap income-oriented stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(FERG: -2.0% · MSM: 4.0%)Net Margin>
%
(FERG: 6.6% · MSM: 5.4%)P/E Ratio<
x
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