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Relative Intelligence · Industrial Distribution

How Ferguson (FERG) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on FERG alone. It places FERG (Ferguson plc) against 19 popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where FERG stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: FERG's full trading record, from November 2006 through September 2026. The crash tests reach back to 2000 using older funds and the S&P 500. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 20, 2026.

Data as of October 20, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.

Rank the market against FERG →Chart FERG vs. 19 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

How much would $10,000 in FERG have grown?

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in FERG over the past 17 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of FERG over the same span and FERG's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.

Note: FERG began trading on November 8, 2006, so the chart cannot reach back to the dot-com bust. It covers the most recent 17 years of FERG's record, starting at the end of September 2009.

Choose a period

From the end of September 2009 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 229 of the 1,927 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of FERG; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$10,000$100,000$1M200920122015201820212024$10,000$100,000$1M20092013201720212025
  • FIX$2M+16,761% total · +35.2% a year
  • TT$243,003+2,330% total · +20.6% a year
  • AIT$211,375+2,014% total · +19.7% a year
  • GWW$182,932+1,729% total · +18.6% a year
  • DXPE$162,521+1,525% total · +17.8% a year
  • FERG$156,677+1,467% total · +17.6% a year
  • FAST$152,879+1,429% total · +17.4% a year
  • WTS$138,956+1,290% total · +16.7% a year
  • WCC$129,069+1,191% total · +16.2% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$97,560+876% total · +14.3% a year
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From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 1,099 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of FERG; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$0$10,000$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,000$70,000202120222023202420252026$0$20,000$40,000$60,000$80,000202120222023202420252026
  • DXPE$61,281+513% total · +43.7% a year
  • AIT$38,549+285% total · +31.0% a year
  • GWW$33,303+233% total · +27.2% a year
  • WCC$32,230+222% total · +26.4% a year
  • TT$27,878+179% total · +22.8% a year
  • WTS$21,898+119% total · +17.0% a year
  • FAST$21,648+116% total · +16.7% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • MSM$18,644+86.4% total · +13.3% a year
  • FERG$17,701+77.0% total · +12.1% a year
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FERG at a glance

This section summarizes the key facts about the stock, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.

Note: FERG began trading on November 8, 2006, so every figure here, including its worst decline, covers only the time since then. None of them reflect the dot-com bust.

The company

Market value
$44B
Industry
Industrial - Distribution
Price history from
November 2006

Returns

Past 1 year
−4.7%total return
Past 3 years
+55.4%+15.8% a year
Past 5 years
+70.0%+11.2% a year
Past 10 years
+418%+17.9% a year
Best calendar year
+68.3%2012
Worst calendar year
−27.2%2022
Losing years
6 of 17full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
30.7%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.50return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−92.4%Feb 2007 to Mar 2009
From its all-time high
−14.5%below the peak

FERG against the whole market

Where FERG ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.

How does FERG rank among all stocks?

This section ranks FERG on return, volatility, risk-adjusted return and worst decline against every stock worth at least $300 million with enough history. Where the comparisons with its popular alternatives show how FERG stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.

Ranked against U.S.-listed stocks worth at least $300M that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller stocks are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.

MeasureFERGRankStanding
1-year return−4.7%2,174 of 3,287bottom 35%
3-year return+55.4%1,459 of 3,017top 48%
5-year return+70.0%903 of 2,893top 31%
10-year return+418%396 of 2,202top 18%
Volatility, 5 years30.7%800 of 2,893top 28%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.50928 of 2,893top 32%
Worst decline, past 10 years−55.4%691 of 2,187top 32%

What has beaten FERG on both return and risk?

Each dot is an investment, placed by how much it earned a year over the past 5 years (higher is better) and how much its price swung, its volatility (further left is calmer). FERG sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than FERG with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to FERG; faint dots are 87 more of the 366 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than FERGQQQ: +14.5% a year, volatility 23.0%PGR: +21.3% a year, volatility 25.6%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%CTAS: +16.5% a year, volatility 23.1%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%MSI: +14.8% a year, volatility 23.6%SCHG: +13.1% a year, volatility 22.4%AME: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.1%CBOE: +21.5% a year, volatility 25.1%AAPL: +18.5% a year, volatility 28.0%WRB: +18.9% a year, volatility 22.9%RS: +24.8% a year, volatility 28.1%EWT: +20.4% a year, volatility 24.2%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%RSPT: +16.9% a year, volatility 25.1%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%MSFT: +12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%PM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%CSCO: +16.8% a year, volatility 26.1%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%PWB: +14.8% a year, volatility 22.2%MRK: +16.3% a year, volatility 24.8%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%GS: +19.6% a year, volatility 28.6%TD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%BFC: +19.0% a year, volatility 27.3%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%VRTX: +22.6% a year, volatility 29.1%CM: +19.2% a year, volatility 21.6%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%BNS: +12.9% a year, volatility 19.9%MNST: +17.2% a year, volatility 24.9%ETR: +19.2% a year, volatility 22.4%CCEP: +19.7% a year, volatility 23.2%AEP: +12.4% a year, volatility 20.2%ALL: +17.0% a year, volatility 26.2%DYNF: +14.7% a year, volatility 17.5%IX: +17.9% a year, volatility 25.4%SDCI: +20.6% a year, volatility 18.4%FNDX: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.9%ATO: +14.9% a year, volatility 18.4%FNDF: +13.6% a year, volatility 16.3%SPMO: +18.7% a year, volatility 20.8%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%L: +14.3% a year, volatility 19.2%HDV: +12.9% a year, volatility 13.0%RPRX: +13.3% a year, volatility 23.8%AVDV: +13.9% a year, volatility 17.4%NI: +15.1% a year, volatility 20.3%DGX: +12.3% a year, volatility 22.5%PKG: +15.4% a year, volatility 25.8%MGV: +12.6% a year, volatility 13.4%DTM: +24.5% a year, volatility 25.2%RNR: +20.1% a year, volatility 27.8%AVUS: +12.2% a year, volatility 17.2%CIBR: +14.1% a year, volatility 26.1%PAVE: +14.9% a year, volatility 21.6%FDVV: +13.2% a year, volatility 14.6%DBEF: +13.1% a year, volatility 13.8%IOO: +15.7% a year, volatility 17.2%EHC: +18.4% a year, volatility 26.8%PNW: +13.4% a year, volatility 19.9%FDL: +13.9% a year, volatility 14.4%JQUA: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.7%VLUE: +15.9% a year, volatility 18.4%AIZ: +13.3% a year, volatility 25.3%ORI: +17.0% a year, volatility 22.2%MSGS: +18.4% a year, volatility 25.6%GRID: +12.5% a year, volatility 22.0%NEU: +21.0% a year, volatility 26.8%PPA: +16.3% a year, volatility 18.9%DLN: +12.2% a year, volatility 13.2%ACT: +20.5% a year, volatility 24.3%HEI: +17.3% a year, volatility 27.8%THG: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.9%AXS: +16.7% a year, volatility 25.2%NHC: +32.0% a year, volatility 28.5%EMLP: +14.9% a year, volatility 14.5%FLTW: +21.8% a year, volatility 24.3%FERG: +11.2% a year, volatility 30.7%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%GWW: +26.3% a year, volatility 24.9%TT: +22.7% a year, volatility 27.7%FAST: +15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%WTS: +15.3% a year, volatility 28.4%MSM: +13.3% a year, volatility 25.1%AIT: +28.5% a year, volatility 30.3%TJX: +19.9% a year, volatility 22.3%DE: +14.4% a year, volatility 29.9%JCI: +17.4% a year, volatility 29.1%ITT: +17.1% a year, volatility 29.8%LECO: +14.1% a year, volatility 27.5%NPO: +28.1% a year, volatility 36.0%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%JPM: +17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%V: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.9%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%MA: +12.4% a year, volatility 23.8%VGT: +18.4% a year, volatility 26.0%GOOG: +19.0% a year, volatility 32.0%IWF: +11.7% a year, volatility 21.8%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%FERGSPY (S&P 500)GWWTTFASTWTSMSMAITTJXDEJCINPOWMTJPMVCOSTMAVGTGOOGIWFCAH10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than FERGQQQ: +14.5% a year, volatility 23.0%PGR: +21.3% a year, volatility 25.6%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%CTAS: +16.5% a year, volatility 23.1%RSG: +13.9% a year, volatility 18.5%RY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%MSI: +14.8% a year, volatility 23.6%SCHG: +13.1% a year, volatility 22.4%AME: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.1%CBOE: +21.5% a year, volatility 25.1%AAPL: +18.5% a year, volatility 28.0%WRB: +18.9% a year, volatility 22.9%RS: +24.8% a year, volatility 28.1%EWT: +20.4% a year, volatility 24.2%VOO: +12.8% a year, volatility 16.9%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%RSPT: +16.9% a year, volatility 25.1%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%MSFT: +12.5% a year, volatility 28.2%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%PM: +21.0% a year, volatility 23.4%CSCO: +16.8% a year, volatility 26.1%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%PWB: +14.8% a year, volatility 22.2%MRK: +16.3% a year, volatility 24.8%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%GS: +19.6% a year, volatility 28.6%TD: +15.8% a year, volatility 20.0%BFC: +19.0% a year, volatility 27.3%CB: +15.7% a year, volatility 20.4%VRTX: +22.6% a year, volatility 29.1%CM: +19.2% a year, volatility 21.6%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%BNS: +12.9% a year, volatility 19.9%MNST: +17.2% a year, volatility 24.9%ETR: +19.2% a year, volatility 22.4%CCEP: +19.7% a year, volatility 23.2%AEP: +12.4% a year, volatility 20.2%ALL: +17.0% a year, volatility 26.2%DYNF: +14.7% a year, volatility 17.5%IX: +17.9% a year, volatility 25.4%SDCI: +20.6% a year, volatility 18.4%FNDX: +13.5% a year, volatility 14.9%ATO: +14.9% a year, volatility 18.4%FNDF: +13.6% a year, volatility 16.3%SPMO: +18.7% a year, volatility 20.8%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%L: +14.3% a year, volatility 19.2%HDV: +12.9% a year, volatility 13.0%RPRX: +13.3% a year, volatility 23.8%AVDV: +13.9% a year, volatility 17.4%NI: +15.1% a year, volatility 20.3%DGX: +12.3% a year, volatility 22.5%PKG: +15.4% a year, volatility 25.8%MGV: +12.6% a year, volatility 13.4%DTM: +24.5% a year, volatility 25.2%RNR: +20.1% a year, volatility 27.8%AVUS: +12.2% a year, volatility 17.2%CIBR: +14.1% a year, volatility 26.1%PAVE: +14.9% a year, volatility 21.6%FDVV: +13.2% a year, volatility 14.6%DBEF: +13.1% a year, volatility 13.8%IOO: +15.7% a year, volatility 17.2%EHC: +18.4% a year, volatility 26.8%PNW: +13.4% a year, volatility 19.9%FDL: +13.9% a year, volatility 14.4%JQUA: +13.6% a year, volatility 15.7%VLUE: +15.9% a year, volatility 18.4%AIZ: +13.3% a year, volatility 25.3%ORI: +17.0% a year, volatility 22.2%MSGS: +18.4% a year, volatility 25.6%GRID: +12.5% a year, volatility 22.0%NEU: +21.0% a year, volatility 26.8%PPA: +16.3% a year, volatility 18.9%DLN: +12.2% a year, volatility 13.2%ACT: +20.5% a year, volatility 24.3%HEI: +17.3% a year, volatility 27.8%THG: +14.4% a year, volatility 22.9%AXS: +16.7% a year, volatility 25.2%NHC: +32.0% a year, volatility 28.5%EMLP: +14.9% a year, volatility 14.5%FLTW: +21.8% a year, volatility 24.3%FERG: +11.2% a year, volatility 30.7%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%GWW: +26.3% a year, volatility 24.9%TT: +22.7% a year, volatility 27.7%FAST: +15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%WTS: +15.3% a year, volatility 28.4%MSM: +13.3% a year, volatility 25.1%AIT: +28.5% a year, volatility 30.3%TJX: +19.9% a year, volatility 22.3%DE: +14.4% a year, volatility 29.9%JCI: +17.4% a year, volatility 29.1%ITT: +17.1% a year, volatility 29.8%LECO: +14.1% a year, volatility 27.5%NPO: +28.1% a year, volatility 36.0%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%JPM: +17.3% a year, volatility 24.3%V: +12.8% a year, volatility 22.9%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%MA: +12.4% a year, volatility 23.8%VGT: +18.4% a year, volatility 26.0%GOOG: +19.0% a year, volatility 32.0%IWF: +11.7% a year, volatility 21.8%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%FERGSPY (S&P 500)GWWTTFASTWTSAITTJXNPOWMTJPMVGTGOOGCAH
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than FERG?

Investments that beat FERG over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.

How this works

The table below lists investments that beat FERG over the past 5 years on at least one of these measures: a higher annual return with lower volatility, a higher annual return at similar volatility, a similar return with lower volatility, a higher Sharpe ratio with a smaller worst decline, a higher total return in most periods from 3 months to 10 years, or smaller losses in recent market crashes. It checks FERG's popular alternatives first, then the rest of its own and neighboring categories, then every stock and fund worth at least $500 million, and shows the strongest few in each group. The full list of those with a higher return and lower volatility than FERG follows the table.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested. Annual return, volatility and the Sharpe ratio cover 5 years; the worst decline covers the past 10 years. Green marks a better figure than FERG's. "On the frontier" means no other option shown or tested earned more with less volatility. Funds that hold the same thing are shown once. Beyond the popular alternatives, nothing with more than 1.5× FERG's volatility counts as better.

These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than FERG's.

Screen the whole market against FERG for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 21 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with FERG?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
FERGFerguson plc · this page
+11.2%30.7%0.50−55.4%+418%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.580.09%
Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against FERG. 9 of 19 passed at least one test.
GWWW.W. Grainger, Inc. · Industrial Distribution
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+26.3%24.9%1.07−41.6%+654%0.46—
TTTrane Technologies plc · Building Products
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+22.7%27.7%0.88−40.5%+955%0.67—
FASTFastenal Company · Industrial Distribution
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+15.8%24.6%0.72−30.7%+576%0.41—
WTSWatts Water Technologies, Inc. · Industrial Machinery
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+15.3%28.4%0.65−44.1%+539%0.58—
MSMMSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. · Industrial Distribution
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+13.3%25.1%0.63−48.2%+184%0.54—
AITApplied Industrial Technologies, Inc. · Industrial Distribution
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+28.5%30.3%0.98−59.3%+742%0.55—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Industrial Distribution and the categories next to it (Industrial Machinery, Building Products, Specialty Retail), plus FERG's specific themes. 28 of 94 passed at least one test.
TJXThe TJX Companies, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+19.9%22.3%0.93−42.5%+361%0.35—
DEDeere & Company · Industrial Machinery
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+14.4%29.9%0.60−37.9%+755%0.33—
JCIJohnson Controls International plc · Building Products
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+17.4%29.1%0.70−46.4%+426%0.61—
ITTITT Inc. · Industrial Machinery
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+17.1%29.8%0.68−49.5%+539%0.75—
LECOLincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. · Industrial Machinery
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+14.1%27.5%0.62−38.9%+389%0.67—
NPOEnPro Industries, Inc. · Industrial Machinery
Higher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+28.1%36.0%0.87−65.8%+481%0.60—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 887 of 3,520 passed at least one test.
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+20.8%22.6%0.96−25.7%+508%0.30—
JPMJPMorgan Chase & Co. · Banks
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+17.3%24.3%0.78−43.6%+537%0.54—
VVisa Inc. · Payment Processing
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+12.8%22.9%0.64−36.4%+429%0.34—
COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation · Discount Retail
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+17.4%22.9%0.82−31.4%+685%0.41—
MAMastercard Incorporated · Payment Processing
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+12.4%23.8%0.61−41.0%+541%0.40—
VGTVanguard Information Technology ETF · Technology Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+18.4%26.0%0.78−35.1%+779%0.410.09%
GOOGAlphabet Inc. · Internet Services
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+19.0%32.0%0.71−44.6%+752%0.32—
IWFiShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF · US Large-Cap Growth
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+11.7%21.8%0.62−32.7%+416%0.470.18%
What these numbers mean for FERG
Annual return
FERG returned 11.2% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.7% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $17,000. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
Volatility
FERG's volatility over the past 5 years was 30.7%, 1.8 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, FERG's return lands within 30.7% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
Sharpe ratio
FERG's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.50, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so FERG earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings. Guide: Balancing reward with risk (Sharpe ratio) →
Worst decline
FERG's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 55.4%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 55.4% fall takes a 124% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, FERG's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.58 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against FERG instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a FERG holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 366 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than FERG with less volatility

Out of 3,633 tested over 5 years. The strongest 100 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with FERGExpense
1
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Whole market+20.8%22.6%0.96−25.7%+508%0.30—
2
JPMJPMorgan Chase & Co. · Banks
Whole market+17.3%24.3%0.78−43.6%+537%0.54—
3
VVisa Inc. · Payment Processing
Whole market+12.8%22.9%0.64−36.4%+429%0.34—
4
COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation · Discount Retail
Whole market+17.4%22.9%0.82−31.4%+685%0.41—
5
QQQInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+14.5%23.0%0.71−35.1%+553%0.450.18%
6
MAMastercard Incorporated · Payment Processing
Whole market+12.4%23.8%0.61−41.0%+541%0.40—
7
VGTVanguard Information Technology ETF · Technology Equity
Whole market+18.4%26.0%0.78−35.1%+779%0.410.09%
8
PGRThe Progressive Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+21.3%25.6%0.89−30.3%+816%0.07—
9
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+24.2%22.8%1.07−32.4%+406%0.46—
10
CTASCintas Corporation · Business Services
Whole market+16.5%23.1%0.78−48.4%+808%0.43—
11
RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Environmental Services
Whole market+13.9%18.5%0.80−34.0%+446%0.23—
12
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.3%18.2%0.97−40.0%+352%0.40—
13
MSIMotorola Solutions, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Whole market+14.8%23.6%0.71−32.8%+625%0.33—
14
SCHGSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF · US Large-Cap Growth
Whole market+13.1%22.4%0.67−34.5%+451%0.470.04%
15
AMEAMETEK, Inc. · Electronic Instruments
Whole market+14.4%22.1%0.72−42.7%+481%0.70—
16
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.30—
17
CBOECboe Global Markets, Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+21.5%25.1%0.91−43.2%+463%0.17—
18
AAPLApple Inc. · Computer Hardware
Whole market+18.5%28.0%0.75−38.5%+1,168%0.19—
19
WRBW. R. Berkley Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+18.9%22.9%0.87−45.3%+443%0.13—
20
RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. · Metals & Mining
Whole market+24.8%28.1%0.93−40.8%+626%0.53—
21
EWTiShares MSCI Taiwan ETF · International Equity
Whole market+20.4%24.2%0.89−38.9%+468%0.390.59%
22
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+12.8%16.9%0.80−34.0%+324%0.580.03%
23
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.30—
24
GWWW.W. Grainger, Inc. · Industrial Distribution
Popular alternative+26.3%24.9%1.07−41.6%+654%0.46—
25
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%0.09—
26
TTTrane Technologies plc · Building Products
Popular alternative+22.7%27.7%0.88−40.5%+955%0.67—
27
RSPTInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF · Technology Equity
Whole market+16.9%25.1%0.75−33.7%+572%0.470.40%
28
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+12.7%17.9%0.76−27.4%+196%0.22—
29
FASTFastenal Company · Industrial Distribution
Popular alternative+15.8%24.6%0.72−30.7%+576%0.41—
30
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.270.48%
31
MSFTMicrosoft Corporation · Software
Whole market+12.5%28.2%0.56−37.1%+946%0.19—
32
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
Whole market+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.440.40%
33
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages
Whole market+14.7%16.8%0.91−37.0%+204%0.30—
34
PMPhilip Morris International Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+21.0%23.4%0.94−42.9%+242%0.27—
35
CSCOCisco Systems, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Whole market+16.8%26.1%0.73−42.0%+374%0.27—
36
MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+38.7%25.0%1.44−38.1%+586%0.29—
37
PWBInvesco Large Cap Growth ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+14.8%22.2%0.74−32.4%+409%0.510.55%
38
MRKMerck & Co., Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+16.3%24.8%0.74−43.4%+241%0.01—
39
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+17.1%20.7%0.87−26.8%+226%0.27—
40
WTSWatts Water Technologies, Inc. · Industrial Machinery
Popular alternative+15.3%28.4%0.65−44.1%+539%0.58—
41
AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+19.6%24.9%0.85−24.9%+266%0.16—
42
GILDGilead Sciences, Inc. · Biotechnology
Whole market+22.8%24.9%0.95−30.5%+200%0.12—
43
GSThe Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. · Capital Markets
Whole market+19.6%28.6%0.77−48.8%+521%0.53—
44
TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks
Whole market+15.8%20.0%0.84−42.0%+310%0.46—
45
BFCBank First Corporation · Banks - Regional
Whole market+19.0%27.3%0.78−39.8%+496%0.42—
46
CBChubb Limited · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+15.7%20.4%0.82−42.6%+248%0.23—
47
VRTXVertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated · Biotechnology
Whole market+22.6%29.1%0.85−41.6%+521%0.11—
48
CMCanadian Imperial Bank of Commerce · Banks
Whole market+19.2%21.6%0.93−47.3%+395%0.53—
49
TRVThe Travelers Companies, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+22.4%22.3%1.02−46.3%+347%0.29—
50
BNSThe Bank of Nova Scotia · Banks
Whole market+12.9%19.9%0.71−46.9%+187%0.56—
51
MNSTMonster Beverage Corporation · Food & Beverages
Whole market+17.2%24.9%0.77−30.4%+285%0.33—
52
ETREntergy Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+19.2%22.4%0.90−42.0%+311%0.27—
53
CCEPCoca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC · Food & Beverages
Whole market+19.7%23.2%0.90−48.8%+292%0.39—
54
AEPAmerican Electric Power Company, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.4%20.2%0.68−32.9%+185%0.43—
55
ALLThe Allstate Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+17.0%26.2%0.73−41.4%+356%0.07—
56
DYNFiShares U.S. Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+14.7%17.5%0.87−34.7%—0.570.26%
57
IXORIX Corporation · Diversified Financials
Whole market+17.9%25.4%0.78−42.5%+284%0.39—
58
SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund · Bonds
Whole market+20.6%18.4%1.12−45.7%—0.000.80%
59
FNDXSchwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+13.5%14.9%0.93−37.7%+291%0.620.25%
60
ATOAtmos Energy Corporation · Gas Utilities
Whole market+14.9%18.4%0.85−32.9%+194%0.47—
61
FNDFSchwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF · International Equity
Whole market+13.6%16.3%0.87−40.2%+194%0.520.25%
62
SPMOInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF · US Momentum Equity
Whole market+18.7%20.8%0.93−30.9%+499%0.450.13%
63
DFIVDimensional - International Value ETF · International Equity
Whole market+14.8%16.4%0.93−25.4%—0.500.27%
64
LLoews Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+14.3%19.2%0.80−48.5%+180%0.46—
65
HDViShares Core High Dividend ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+12.9%13.0%1.00−37.0%+172%0.450.08%
66
RPRXRoyalty Pharma plc · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+13.3%23.8%0.65−49.7%—0.25—
67
AVDVAvantis International Small Cap Value ETF · International Equity
Whole market+13.9%17.4%0.84−43.0%—0.520.36%
68
NINiSource Inc · Gas Utilities
Whole market+15.1%20.3%0.80−30.9%+158%0.39—
69
DGXQuest Diagnostics Incorporated · Medical Diagnostics
Whole market+12.3%22.5%0.63−36.6%+243%0.37—
70
PKGPackaging Corporation of America · Packaging
Whole market+15.4%25.8%0.69−38.2%+294%0.33—
71
MGVVanguard Morningstar Mega Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+12.6%13.4%0.95−35.4%+244%0.580.05%
72
DTMDT Midstream, Inc. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+24.5%25.2%1.00−23.6%—0.35—
73
TJXThe TJX Companies, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Same or nearby category+19.9%22.3%0.93−42.5%+361%0.35—
74
RNRRenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. · Insurance
Whole market+20.1%27.8%0.80−40.7%+215%0.09—
75
AVUSAvantis U.S. Equity ETF · US Total Market
Whole market+12.2%17.2%0.76−37.0%—0.640.15%
76
CIBRFirst Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF · Cybersecurity
Whole market+14.1%26.1%0.64−33.9%+454%0.140.58%
77
PAVEGlobal X - U.S. Infrastructure Development ETF · Infrastructure Equity
Whole market+14.9%21.6%0.75−44.1%—0.750.47%
78
FDVVFidelity High Dividend ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+13.2%14.6%0.92−40.2%+253%0.540.15%
79
DBEFXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF · International Equity
Whole market+13.1%13.8%0.96−32.5%+206%0.530.35%
80
IOOiShares Global 100 ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+15.7%17.2%0.94−31.4%+361%0.500.40%
81
EHCEncompass Health Corporation · Health Care Facilities
Whole market+18.4%26.8%0.77−39.5%+340%0.33—
82
PNWPinnacle West Capital Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+13.4%19.9%0.73−39.3%+103%0.25—
83
FDLFirst Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+13.9%14.4%0.98−41.4%+199%0.450.43%
84
JQUAJPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+13.6%15.7%0.89−32.9%—0.540.12%
85
VLUEiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+15.9%18.4%0.90−39.5%+286%0.500.15%
86
AIZAssurant, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+13.3%25.3%0.62−44.6%+312%0.24—
87
ORIOld Republic International Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+17.0%22.2%0.82−47.8%+349%0.36—
88
MSGSMadison Square Garden Sports Corp. · Entertainment
Whole market+18.4%25.6%0.79−41.6%+432%0.26—
89
GRIDFirst Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund · Infrastructure Equity
Whole market+12.5%22.0%0.65−40.6%+383%0.670.56%
90
NEUNewMarket Corporation · Specialty Chemicals
Whole market+21.0%26.8%0.85−40.7%+165%0.24—
91
PPAInvesco Aerospace & Defense ETF · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+16.3%18.9%0.90−43.9%+344%0.520.58%
92
JCIJohnson Controls International plc · Building Products
Same or nearby category+17.4%29.1%0.70−46.4%+426%0.61—
93
DLNWisdomTree U.S. LargeCap Dividend Fund · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+12.2%13.2%0.95−35.8%+231%0.590.28%
94
ACTEnact Holdings Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+20.5%24.3%0.89−20.2%—0.29—
95
HEIHEICO Corporation · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+17.3%27.8%0.71−57.7%+809%0.31—
96
THGThe Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+14.4%22.9%0.70−40.1%+291%0.10—
97
AXSAXIS Capital Holdings Limited · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+16.7%25.2%0.74−49.3%+137%0.20—
98
NHCNational HealthCare Corporation · Medical - Care Facilities
Whole market+32.0%28.5%1.12−35.3%+394%0.36—
99
EMLPFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund · Energy Infrastructure
Whole market+14.9%14.5%1.04−43.6%+150%0.460.95%
100
FLTWFranklin FTSE Taiwan ETF · Technology
Whole market+21.8%24.3%0.94−38.0%—0.370.19%

FERG against its popular alternatives

The investments people most often weigh against FERG, compared period by period and year by year.

How do FERG's risk and return compare with its alternatives?

This map plots each investment's annual return over the past 5 years against its volatility, the size of its typical price swings. Investments toward the upper left earned more for a smoother ride, and those toward the lower right earned less for a rougher one. The dashed lines cross at FERG, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.

Green points earned more than FERG with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.

15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%50.0%55.0%60.0%−20.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityFERG: 11.2% a year, volatility 30.7%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%TT: 22.7% a year, volatility 27.7%FAST: 15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%WTS: 15.3% a year, volatility 28.4%AIT: 28.5% a year, volatility 30.3%GWW: 26.3% a year, volatility 24.9%GIC: 5.3% a year, volatility 39.0%MSM: 13.3% a year, volatility 25.1%BXC: 8.3% a year, volatility 56.9%DSGR: 6.2% a year, volatility 45.8%DNOW: 10.9% a year, volatility 42.7%CARR: 2.2% a year, volatility 32.3%SITE: −14.6% a year, volatility 41.3%WSO: 3.8% a year, volatility 31.4%POOL: −16.8% a year, volatility 34.9%CNM: 11.2% a year, volatility 38.3%DXPE: 39.0% a year, volatility 46.1%WCC: 22.5% a year, volatility 45.3%FIX: 77.0% a year, volatility 46.7%AOS: −0.4% a year, volatility 27.6%FERGSPY (S&P 500)TTFASTWTSAITGWWGICBXCDSGRDNOWCARRSITEWSOPOOLCNMDXPEWCCFIXAOS10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%−20.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityFERG: 11.2% a year, volatility 30.7%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%TT: 22.7% a year, volatility 27.7%FAST: 15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%WTS: 15.3% a year, volatility 28.4%AIT: 28.5% a year, volatility 30.3%GWW: 26.3% a year, volatility 24.9%GIC: 5.3% a year, volatility 39.0%MSM: 13.3% a year, volatility 25.1%BXC: 8.3% a year, volatility 56.9%DSGR: 6.2% a year, volatility 45.8%DNOW: 10.9% a year, volatility 42.7%CARR: 2.2% a year, volatility 32.3%SITE: −14.6% a year, volatility 41.3%WSO: 3.8% a year, volatility 31.4%POOL: −16.8% a year, volatility 34.9%CNM: 11.2% a year, volatility 38.3%DXPE: 39.0% a year, volatility 46.1%WCC: 22.5% a year, volatility 45.3%FIX: 77.0% a year, volatility 46.7%AOS: −0.4% a year, volatility 27.6%FERGSPY (S&P 500)TTAITGWWGICBXCDSGRDNOWCARRSITEWSOPOOLCNMDXPEWCCFIXAOS
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
FIX Comfort Systems USA, Inc.+77.0%46.7%
DXPE DXP Enterprises, Inc.+39.0%46.1%
AIT Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.+28.5%30.3%
GWW W.W. Grainger, Inc.+26.3%24.9%
TT Trane Technologies plc+22.7%27.7%
WCC WESCO International, Inc.+22.5%45.3%
FAST Fastenal Company+15.8%24.6%
WTS Watts Water Technologies, Inc.+15.3%28.4%
MSM MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.+13.3%25.1%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
FERG This pageFerguson plc+11.2%30.7%
CNM Core & Main, Inc.+11.2%38.3%
DNOW Dnow Inc.+10.9%42.7%
BXC BlueLinx Holdings Inc.+8.3%56.9%
DSGR Distribution Solutions Group, Inc.+6.2%45.8%
GIC Global Industrial Co+5.3%39.0%
WSO Watsco, Inc.+3.8%31.4%
CARR Carrier Global Corporation+2.2%32.3%
AOS A. O. Smith Corporation−0.4%27.6%
SITE SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc.−14.6%41.3%
POOL Pool Corporation−16.8%34.9%
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Has FERG consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

This section compares FERG with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over eight periods from one month to ten years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than FERG helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.

A green cell means the alternative earned more than FERG over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.

InvestmentPeriods outperformed Short termLong termRisk · 5 yearsFund
1M3M6MYTD1Y3Y5Y10YVolatilitylower is calmerSharpehigher is betterWorst declinepast 10 yearsExpenseAssetsOverlapsame sectors
FERG Ferguson plc (this page)—+5.1%−0.5%−13.1%+2.1%−4.7%+55.4%+70.0%+418%30.7%0.50−55.4%—$44B—
TT QualifiedTrane Technologies plc4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+6.5%−1.2%−2.9%+16.8%+11.3%+154%+178%+955%27.7%0.88−40.5%—$102B—
DXPE QualifiedDXP Enterprises, Inc.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather−9.4%+1.7%+8.8%+58.3%+48.8%+425%+419%+610%46.1%0.95−77.3%—$2.6B—
FAST QualifiedFastenal Company4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+4.0%+16.0%+14.6%+29.8%+22.8%+92.7%+108%+576%24.6%0.72−30.7%—$59B—
WTS QualifiedWatts Water Technologies, Inc.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+2.1%+5.3%+22.3%+29.2%+28.1%+113%+104%+539%28.4%0.65−44.1%—$12B—
WCC QualifiedWESCO International, Inc.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather−3.9%+7.2%+6.1%+36.2%+57.1%+179%+176%+505%45.3%0.68−78.8%—$17B—
AIT QualifiedApplied Industrial Technologies, Inc.3/5 short3/3 long+3.2%−1.4%+12.9%+28.0%+33.4%+120%+250%+742%30.3%0.98−59.3%—$12B—
GWW QualifiedW.W. Grainger, Inc.3/5 short3/3 long+4.6%−2.4%+15.3%+33.9%+38.7%+98.1%+221%+654%24.9%1.07−41.6%—$63B—
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.2/5 short3/3 long−14.4%−18.4%−16.8%+39.4%+67.3%+819%+1,636%+5,305%46.7%1.46−49.7%—$49B—
GIC Industrial - DistributionGlobal Industrial Co5/5 short1/3 long+8.1%+29.8%+33.7%+53.9%+31.2%+49.6%+29.5%+995%39.0%0.33−55.7%—$1.7B—
MSM Industrial - DistributionMSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.5/5 short1/3 long+6.5%+4.3%+34.3%+55.1%+54.6%+48.6%+86.7%+184%25.1%0.63−48.2%—$7.2B—
BXC Industrial - DistributionBlueLinx Holdings Inc.4/5 short1/3 long−0.8%+32.1%+25.4%+23.3%+4.4%+5.0%+49.3%+824%56.9%0.42−91.7%—$589M—
DSGR Industrial - DistributionDistribution Solutions Group, Inc.4/5 short0/3 long+0.5%+1.6%+27.9%+25.0%+18.5%+20.8%+34.9%+268%45.8%0.35−58.0%—$1.6B—
DNOW Industrial - DistributionDnow Inc.4/5 short0/3 long+1.3%+13.0%+31.4%+18.0%+10.3%+38.5%+67.4%−28.1%42.7%0.46−82.5%—$2.9B—
CARR Industrial - MachineryCarrier Global Corporation3/5 short0/3 long+2.8%−15.8%−8.2%+6.2%−1.1%+21.2%+11.6%—32.3%0.23−40.8%—$46B—
AOS Industrial - MachineryA. O. Smith Corporation2/5 short0/3 long+4.5%+1.7%−8.2%−11.4%−12.8%−5.4%−1.8%+46.1%27.6%0.12−46.8%—$8.1B—
SITE Industrial - DistributionSiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc.1/5 short0/3 long+5.8%−6.0%−34.8%−22.8%−20.4%−29.6%−54.7%+202%41.3%-0.18−65.7%—$4.2B—
WSO Industrial - DistributionWatsco, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−3.9%−17.7%−29.8%−10.0%−17.4%−5.5%+20.6%+196%31.4%0.28−48.2%—$12B—
POOL Industrial - DistributionPool Corporation0/5 short0/3 long+2.3%−14.0%−25.0%−23.7%−40.1%−43.8%−60.2%+113%34.9%-0.35−71.4%—$6.2B—
CNM Industrial - DistributionCore & Main, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−3.4%−5.1%−16.8%−22.1%−21.0%+38.9%+69.6%—38.3%0.47−40.0%—$7.7B—
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How did FERG do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 2009, along with where FERG ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with FERG and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.

Note: FERG began trading on November 8, 2006, so the table starts with 2009, its first full calendar year, and cannot show how it fared during the dot-com bust.

Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of FERG; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places FERG among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.

InvestmentYears ahead of FERG20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009
FERG This pageFerguson plc—+29.9%−8.6%+55.1%−27.2%+56.4%+31.9%+49.6%−10.3%+21.9%+11.8%−1.0%+8.5%+23.4%+68.3%−4.0%+63.6%−11.7%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 5 of 175 of 2014 of 207 of 2014 of 206 of 198 of 184 of 1811 of 187 of 1815 of 175 of 175 of 1611 of 162 of 1611 of 163 of 1615 of 16
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF8 of 17+17.7%+24.9%+26.2%−18.2%+28.7%+18.3%+31.2%−4.6%+21.7%+12.0%+1.2%+13.5%+32.3%+16.0%+1.9%+15.1%+26.4%
TT Trane Technologies plc7 of 17+6.4%+53.0%+47.4%−15.3%+41.0%+43.4%+48.3%+4.4%+21.3%+38.5%−11.1%+4.6%+29.9%+59.3%−34.7%+32.6%+110%
DXPE DXP Enterprises, Inc.9 of 17+32.9%+145%+22.3%+7.3%+15.5%−44.2%+43.0%−5.9%−14.9%+52.4%−54.9%−56.1%+135%+52.4%+34.2%+83.6%−10.5%
FAST Fastenal Company7 of 17+14.0%+13.5%+41.4%−24.4%+34.0%+36.6%+45.0%−1.6%+17.2%+18.6%−11.8%+2.3%+3.4%+10.1%+48.5%+47.6%+22.0%
WTS Watts Water Technologies, Inc.8 of 17+36.8%−1.6%+43.6%−24.1%+60.6%+23.1%+56.2%−14.1%+17.9%+32.8%−20.8%+3.5%+45.4%+27.2%−5.3%+20.0%+26.0%
WCC WESCO International, Inc.9 of 17+36.4%+5.1%+40.2%−4.9%+67.6%+32.2%+23.7%−29.6%+2.4%+52.3%−42.7%−16.3%+35.1%+27.2%+0.4%+95.5%+40.5%
AIT Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.5 of 17+8.0%+39.7%+38.4%+24.2%+33.6%+19.4%+26.4%−19.4%+16.3%+50.3%−8.8%−5.2%+19.2%+22.0%+10.9%+50.7%+20.3%
GWW W.W. Grainger, Inc.7 of 17−3.4%+28.2%+50.5%+8.7%+28.8%+22.8%+22.3%+21.7%+4.3%+17.3%−18.9%+1.5%+28.0%+9.8%+37.8%+45.3%+25.4%
FIX Comfort Systems USA, Inc.11 of 17+121%+107%+79.6%+17.0%+89.0%+6.7%+15.1%+0.8%+32.1%+18.3%+67.7%−10.4%+61.7%+15.7%−17.0%+8.7%+17.8%
GIC Global Industrial Co7 of 17+22.5%−34.3%+69.7%−41.0%+18.8%+62.8%+7.7%−1.2%+286%+3.3%−36.2%+20.1%+16.6%−39.8%+16.4%−10.3%+53.3%
MSM MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.4 of 17+17.4%−23.4%+28.5%+0.9%+3.1%+25.3%+5.8%−18.3%+6.9%+68.2%−29.1%+6.3%+8.6%+7.4%+12.1%+42.4%+30.4%
BXC BlueLinx Holdings Inc.9 of 17−39.9%−9.8%+59.4%−25.7%+227%+105%−42.3%+153%+30.7%+40.9%−54.3%−40.5%−30.6%+87.3%−59.0%+32.1%+46.6%
DSGR Distribution Solutions Group, Inc.5 of 17−20.4%+9.0%+71.2%−32.7%+7.5%−2.3%+64.9%+27.6%+4.0%+1.9%−12.6%+118%+23.8%−33.0%−34.5%+46.5%−19.5%
DNOW Dnow Inc.4 of 11+1.8%+14.9%−10.9%+48.7%+18.9%−36.1%−3.4%+5.5%−46.1%+29.4%−38.5%——————
CARR Carrier Global Corporation2 of 5−21.8%+20.3%+41.5%−22.7%+45.3%————————————
AOS A. O. Smith Corporation7 of 17+0.1%−15.9%+46.7%−32.1%+59.3%+17.5%+13.7%−29.4%+30.8%+25.0%+37.4%+5.9%+73.1%+59.1%+6.8%+34.9%+50.3%
SITE SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc.3 of 9−5.5%−18.9%+38.5%−51.6%+52.7%+75.0%+64.0%−27.9%+121%————————
WSO Watsco, Inc.9 of 17−27.0%+13.2%+77.0%−17.7%+42.1%+30.6%+35.0%−15.5%+18.4%+30.0%+12.0%+13.8%+30.0%+26.3%+7.8%+33.6%+33.3%
POOL Pool Corporation9 of 17−31.8%−13.4%+33.5%−46.0%+53.0%+77.0%+44.5%+16.0%+25.8%+30.8%+29.1%+10.7%+39.4%+42.9%+36.4%+20.9%+9.5%
CNM Core & Main, Inc.2 of 4+2.1%+26.0%+109%−36.4%—————————————
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Risk and diversification

How FERG has fallen, how it held up in crashes beside the S&P 500 and its popular alternatives, and what moves independently of it.

What were FERG's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents FERG's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 2006, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.

Note: FERG began trading on November 8, 2006, so this list cannot include the dot-com bust. The crash tests on this page show how older funds and the S&P 500 fared through those years.

Green means FERG fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringFERG fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
2008 financial crisis−92.4%−51.0%Feb 2007Mar 20092.1 yearsSep 20189.5 years
Covid crash−55.4%−33.5%Feb 2020Mar 20201 monthSep 20206 months
2022 bear market−43.3%−22.6%Jan 2022Oct 20229 monthsDec 202314 months
No named crash−32.9%−17.8%Dec 2024Apr 20254 monthsJul 20253 months
Late-2018 sell-off−27.8%−15.5%Sep 2018Jan 20194 monthsOct 20199 months

How did FERG do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far FERG, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.

Note: FERG began trading on November 8, 2006, so its row reads "Not yet trading" for the dot-com bust. The older alternatives and the S&P 500 show how those crashes played out.

Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than FERG.

InvestmentHeld up better2023 regional bank crisisMar 20232022 bear marketJan 2022Covid crashFeb 2020Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018February 2018 volatility shockFeb 20182015 China and oil sell-offAug 20152011 euro debt crisisJul 20112010 flash crashMay 20102008 financial crisisOct 2007Dot-com bustMar 2000
FERG This pageFerguson plc—−4.1%−42.4%−54.7%−27.3%0.0%−28.8%−28.7%0.0%−87.9%Not yet trading
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF7 of 9−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
TT Trane Technologies plc6 of 9−3.3%−37.5%−39.2%−17.9%−8.0%−20.6%−34.2%−2.6%−77.5%−44.7%
DXPE DXP Enterprises, Inc.2 of 9−10.9%−30.8%−66.5%−34.6%−5.5%−60.2%−35.2%−10.9%−74.2%−86.7%
FAST Fastenal Company7 of 9−2.7%−25.5%−27.8%−17.4%−2.7%−12.7%−14.0%−2.1%−51.8%−36.4%
WTS Watts Water Technologies, Inc.5 of 9−6.9%−39.4%−32.0%−26.1%−9.1%−24.6%−31.1%−3.4%−49.9%−35.1%
WCC WESCO International, Inc.2 of 9−11.7%−29.6%−67.8%−29.1%−2.8%−37.9%−43.5%−3.9%−75.7%−71.4%
AIT Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.5 of 9−5.3%−19.0%−52.7%−36.3%−8.0%−14.5%−27.9%−2.6%−57.1%−28.7%
GWW W.W. Grainger, Inc.6 of 9−3.6%−16.9%−32.5%−25.2%−2.1%−20.6%−18.5%−1.5%−35.3%−55.6%
FIX Comfort Systems USA, Inc.4 of 9−7.8%−23.9%−38.8%−30.2%−6.3%−26.8%−33.3%−3.3%−57.0%−77.6%
GIC Global Industrial Co5 of 9−4.6%−34.3%−32.2%−26.3%−5.2%−24.6%−29.4%−4.2%−63.2%−89.2%
MSM MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.6 of 9−5.0%−16.9%−35.2%−18.0%−2.9%−23.1%−24.6%−2.5%−48.8%−57.1%
BXC BlueLinx Holdings Inc.2 of 9−9.4%−41.2%−74.1%−42.3%−6.3%−66.8%−43.0%−7.5%−86.1%—
DSGR Distribution Solutions Group, Inc.3 of 9−12.8%−50.5%−42.5%−16.7%−5.5%−35.9%−29.6%−10.4%−63.7%−22.6%
DNOW Dnow Inc.1 of 6−10.4%−29.4%−55.1%−39.0%−14.2%−34.6%————
CARR Carrier Global Corporation1 of 2−5.6%−35.8%————————
AOS A. O. Smith Corporation4 of 9−2.4%−42.1%−21.9%−30.3%−6.8%−23.3%−31.6%−3.8%−54.1%−47.9%
SITE SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc.1 of 5−7.0%−57.4%−51.2%−38.5%−3.4%—————
WSO Watsco, Inc.6 of 9−4.5%−26.1%−24.3%−24.9%−6.5%−17.4%−19.2%−4.1%−47.0%−43.3%
POOL Pool Corporation6 of 9−2.9%−42.9%−28.0%−18.0%−5.1%−11.6%−18.9%−2.2%−56.3%−28.1%
CNM Core & Main, Inc.1 of 2−8.7%−25.3%————————
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How closely does FERG move with the S&P 500?

Upside capture measures how much of the S&P 500's gains an investment kept in the months the market rose, and downside capture how much of its losses it took in the months the market fell. An investment that captures more of the gains than the losses has compounded ahead of the market over time. This section compares FERG with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.

Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than FERG's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
FERG This pageFerguson plc118%122%0.961.25
FIX Comfort Systems USA, Inc.180%71%2.551.38
GIC Global Industrial Co113%62%1.810.66
TT Trane Technologies plc115%69%1.661.10
AIT Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.111%75%1.481.13
WTS Watts Water Technologies, Inc.102%80%1.281.02
FAST Fastenal Company106%87%1.230.98
GWW W.W. Grainger, Inc.113%95%1.191.12
DSGR Distribution Solutions Group, Inc.95%94%1.010.78
WSO Watsco, Inc.74%74%1.010.93
BXC BlueLinx Holdings Inc.151%151%1.001.67
MSM MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.83%96%0.860.95
DXPE DXP Enterprises, Inc.171%201%0.851.77
WCC WESCO International, Inc.165%194%0.851.96
SITE SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc.116%161%0.721.31
POOL Pool Corporation82%116%0.710.95
AOS A. O. Smith Corporation82%139%0.591.12
DNOW Dnow Inc.75%168%0.451.43
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What diversifies FERG?

Correlation measures how closely two investments move together, on a scale from 1 (in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to -1 (in opposite directions). This section lists large ETFs and stocks whose returns have had a low correlation with FERG's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing FERG with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.

Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which FERG lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% FERG and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20242022201820152011200980/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
FERG Ferguson plc (this page)1.00+70.0%0.50−8.6%−27.2%−10.3%−1.0%−4.0%−11.7%30.9%+12.1%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.44+119%1.48+15.9%+3.8%−5.2%———25.6%+13.7%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.27+225%1.34+29.8%+6.0%−19.8%+7.7%−16.1%+2.0%25.5%+15.8%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.46+101%1.04+33.4%+10.4%−8.7%−25.3%——26.2%+13.4%
HDV Dividend & IncomeiShares Core High Dividend ETF0.45+83.3%1.00+14.1%+7.1%−3.0%−0.3%——26.1%+12.8%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF0.46+323%0.97+39.1%−33.5%−9.1%−0.3%+6.8%+60.5%28.6%+17.9%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.12+126%0.96+26.7%−0.8%−1.9%−10.7%+9.6%+24.0%25.4%+14.3%
SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF0.45+136%0.93+45.8%−10.4%−0.9%———26.8%+14.7%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.19+177%0.93+5.6%+64.4%−18.2%−21.5%+2.8%+21.8%26.2%+15.4%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20242022201820152011200980/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
FERG Ferguson plc (this page)1.00+70.0%0.50−8.6%−27.2%−10.3%−1.0%−4.0%−11.7%30.9%+12.1%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.30+479%1.55+19.0%+54.1%−24.5%+12.6%+8.1%−4.4%26.8%+17.9%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.44+3,143%1.47+215%+1.3%−16.3%−6.0%−24.4%+105%31.7%+29.8%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.29+413%1.44+23.7%+51.8%−28.4%−4.5%+11.8%+62.9%26.6%+17.3%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.14+690%1.41−4.0%+86.6%−8.2%+17.4%——26.4%+20.2%
ATI Manufacturing - Metal FabricationATI Inc.0.34+1,008%1.34+21.1%+87.5%−9.8%−66.7%−12.2%+79.8%29.3%+22.8%
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Common questions

What was FERG's worst drawdown?

FERG's deepest decline since it began trading in 2006 was 92.4%, from February 2007 to March 2009. It took about ten years from the low to climb back to its old high. Because FERG launched in November 2006, that record does not include the dot-com bust.

What were FERG's best and worst years?

Over 17 full calendar years, FERG's best year was 2012, when it returned 68.3%. Its worst was 2022, with a return of -27.2%.

Is there a better investment than FERG?

Among FERG's popular alternatives, GWW, TT and FAST earned more than FERG with less volatility over the past 5 years. GWW returned 26.3% a year at 24.9% volatility, against 11.2% a year at 30.7%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, TJX (specialty retail) and JCI (building products) earned more than FERG with less volatility over the past 5 years. TJX returned 19.9% a year at 22.3% volatility, against 11.2% a year at 30.7%.

Is FERG more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. FERG's volatility over the past 5 years was 30.7%, 1.8 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, FERG's return lands within 30.7% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.

What is FERG's Sharpe ratio?

FERG's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.50, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so FERG earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings.

How correlated is FERG with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, FERG's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.58 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against FERG instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a FERG holding.

What are the best alternatives to FERG?

Of the 19 popular alternatives we compared, seven outperformed FERG in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: TT, DXPE and FAST.

Did FERG outperform the S&P 500?

FERG finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in seven of 17 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +29.9%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did FERG do in stock market crashes?

FERG fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in two of the nine major crashes it has traded through, and further in seven. The clearest case was the 2008 financial crisis, when FERG fell 87.9% and the S&P 500 fell 55.2%.

What diversifies FERG?

These had a low correlation with FERG over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.44), DXJ (correlation 0.27) and EMLP (correlation 0.46); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.30), CLS (correlation 0.44) and MCK (correlation 0.29). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to FERG

Other stocks and ETFs