Ferguson Enterprises Reports First-Quarter Earnings

Ferguson Enterprises Inc. reported disappointing first-quarter results, with net income falling to $470 million, or $2.34 per share, down from $519 million a year prior. Net sales increased by only 0.8% to $7.77 billion, missing expectations, while organic revenue declined by 0.3%. The company's gross margin decreased to 30.1%, and adjusted operating profit fell to $706 million, down 8.7% year-over-year. Despite challenges, Ferguson declared a quarterly dividend of $0.83, a 5% increase from last year, and announced share repurchases worth $256 million. CEO Kevin Murphy indicated a commitment to investing in growth opportunities despite an expected tough market environment. Shares of Ferguson dropped 11% following the report, reflecting investor concerns over the company's performance.