Ferguson plc (FERG) vs United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL)
A side-by-side comparison of Ferguson plc and United Airlines Holdings, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 3, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
FERG
Ferguson plc
$222.09IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 3, 2026, 3:15 PM EDT
UAL
United Airlines Holdings, Inc.
$108.61IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 3, 2026, 3:15 PM EDT
Total return — FERG vs UAL
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yFERG +378.4% (+16.9%/yr)UAL +131.2% (+8.7%/yr)FERG compounded faster over this window
FERG UAL
FERG vs UAL: by the numbers
- •FERG is the larger company ($43.07B vs $35.25B market cap).
- •UAL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (10.14 vs 21.17 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •FERG converts more revenue to profit (6.39% vs 5.56% net margin).
- •UAL grew revenue faster over the past five years (33.94% vs -17.70% CAGR).
- •FERG pays a dividend (1.98% yield), while UAL is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | FERG | UAL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 21.17 | 10.14 |
| Forward P/E | 19.47 | 10.65 |
| P/S ratio | 1.35 | 0.56 |
| P/B ratio | 6.92 | 2.12 |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.01 | 7.48 |
| FCF yield | 2.94% | 7.19% |
Profitability
| Metric | FERG | UAL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 30.55% | 65.06% |
| Operating margin | 9.01% | 7.75% |
| Net margin | 6.39% | 5.56% |
| ROE | 32.88% | 20.94% |
| ROIC | 16.51% | 6.46% |
Dividends
| Metric | FERG | UAL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.98% | N/A |
| Payout ratio | 127.62% | N/A |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | FERG | UAL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | -17.70% | 33.94% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -3.59% | N/A |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -15.02% | 52.93% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 10.70% | 18.30% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, FERG or UAL?
- UAL has the lower trailing P/E: FERG trades at 21.17 and UAL at 10.14. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, FERG or UAL?
- Over the past five years, UAL grew revenue faster — FERG at a -17.70% CAGR versus UAL at 33.94%.
- Does FERG or UAL pay a bigger dividend?
- FERG pays a dividend (1.98% yield), while UAL is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
- Is FERG or UAL more profitable?
- FERG runs the higher net margin — FERG at 6.39% versus UAL at 5.56%.
- How have FERG and UAL total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, FERG delivered 16.95% and UAL delivered 7.81% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Ferguson P/E ratioUnited Airlines P/E ratioFerguson dividend yieldFerguson ROEUnited Airlines ROEFerguson operating marginUnited Airlines operating marginFerguson revenue growthUnited Airlines revenue growthFerguson free cash flowUnited Airlines free cash flow
Ferguson & United Airlines appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified September 3, 2026.