Ferguson Enterprises’ parent company, Ferguson plc, the world’s largest specialist trade distributor of plumbing and heating products, has announced its financial results for the end of fiscal year 2020. The company is ending the year strong and resilient despite COVID-19.

Highlights of the announcement include the following: 

• Ongoing revenue 2 percent ahead of last year with continued market share gains in the United States.
• U.S. revenue growth of 2.7 percent and underlying trading profit growth of 5.2 percent.
• Good gross margin and cost control ensured trading profit growth outpaced revenue growth.
• Total basic earnings per share 11.2 percent lower due to higher effective tax rate from previously announced tax reform and exceptional discontinued disposal gains in the prior year.
• Excellent operating cash generation and the Group has maintained a strong balance sheet and liquidity position.
• Invested $351 million in six acquisitions before pausing activity in March.
• Taking into account the Group’s prospects and strong financial position restoring total ordinary dividend to same level as 2018/19 of 208.2 cents per share.
• Bill Brundage, current CFO of Ferguson Enterprises, to succeed Mike Powell as Group CFO on Nov. 1, 2020. Powell will step down on Oct. 31, 2020.

Kevin Murphy, group chief executive, said the following: 

“We have delivered a strong performance in 2020, which given the global pandemic has highlighted the resilience of our business model. Early in the crisis we moved decisively to protect the health and wellbeing of our associates while continuing to serve our customers supporting critical infrastructure. We have rapidly adjusted our ways of working to adapt to this new operating reality while taking action to lower the cost base. We have also managed working capital and capital expenditure which alongside the strong profit delivery has led to an excellent cash performance.

“On an ongoing basis we delivered Group revenue growth and grew trading profit ahead of revenue despite lockdowns in the second half. I would like to thank all of our 34,000 associates for their dedication and commitment during this challenging period. They have demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt to an unprecedented change in their personal and professional lives while still delivering outstanding service to our customers.

“We have the necessary safeguards in place to protect our associates and support our customers and the majority of our colleagues are now back at work. We continue to execute our strategy of developing the business through organic growth and given recent better than expected trading we are now proposing to reinstate ordinary dividends.

“It is impossible to predict the future progress of the virus, or its economic impact and we expect the current levels of uncertainty to continue for the foreseeable future. However, the fundamental aspects of our business model remain attractive and since the start of the new financial year Ferguson has generated low single digit revenue growth in the U.S. in flat markets overall. While we remain cautious on the outlook for the year as a whole, the business is in good shape and well prepared to address any further market related disruption.”

For the full announcement, visit www.fergusonplc.com.