tiprankstipranks
Watsco (WSO)
NYSE:WSO

Watsco (WSO) AI Stock Analysis

Compare
414 Followers

Top Page

WSWatsco
(NYSE:WSO)
78Outperform
Watsco's strong financial performance, driven by robust revenue growth and cash flow generation, positions it well for future growth. The positive earnings call highlights record sales and strategic initiatives. However, a high P/E ratio suggests potential overvaluation, and challenges remain in non-equipment sales and the A2L product transition.
Positive Factors
Market Share
WSO displays a more defensive business model vs the OEMs and has solidified a #1 market share in the fragmented HVAC distribution space.
Product Transition
A2L transition providing an opportunity to reprice and go to market with ~60% new products over the next 12 months.
Negative Factors
Financial Performance
Shares traded -4% as 3Q24 revenue/gross margin missed expectations.

Watsco (WSO) vs. S&P 500 (SPY)

Watsco Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionWatsco, Inc. engages in distribution of air conditioning, heating and refrigeration equipment and related parts. Its products include residential central air conditioners, gas, electric & oil furnaces, commercial air conditioning & heating equipment, and other specialized equipment; parts, including replacement compressors, evaporator coils, motors and other component parts; and supplies, including thermostats, insulation material, refrigerants, ductwork, grills, registers, sheet metal, tools, copper tubing, concrete pads, tape, adhesives, and other ancillary supplies. The company was founded by William Wagner in 1956 and is headquartered in Miami, FL.
How the Company Makes MoneyWatsco makes money primarily through the distribution and sale of HVAC/R equipment and related parts. The company generates revenue by purchasing products from manufacturers and selling them to contractors and dealers at a markup. This business model is supported by Watsco's extensive distribution network, which allows it to efficiently deliver products to a wide range of customers. Key revenue streams include the sale of air conditioning and heating equipment, replacement parts, and other related supplies. Additionally, Watsco benefits from strategic partnerships with leading HVAC/R manufacturers, which enable it to offer a broad range of products and maintain competitive pricing. The company's earnings are also influenced by factors such as seasonal demand, construction activity, and energy efficiency trends, which drive the need for new installations and upgrades of HVAC/R systems.

Watsco Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Watsco demonstrates a solid financial performance with strong revenue growth, effective cost management, and a robust balance sheet. The company maintains low leverage and generates strong cash flows. Despite some pressure on net income, Watsco's financial health remains strong, supporting future growth.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Watsco shows strong revenue growth with a CAGR of approximately 8.5% from 2019 to 2024. The company maintains healthy profit margins, with a gross profit margin around 27% and a net profit margin around 7%. EBIT and EBITDA margins are stable, indicating effective cost management and operational efficiency. However, a slight decline in net income from 2022 to 2024 suggests potential pressure on profitability.
Balance Sheet
80
Positive
Watsco's balance sheet is robust with a low debt-to-equity ratio consistently below 0.2, reflecting strong financial leverage management. The equity ratio remains above 50%, indicating a solid capital structure. Return on Equity (ROE) is stable, around 20%, denoting efficient shareholder returns. The increase in stockholders' equity over the years underscores sustainable growth, but there is a notable increase in total liabilities from 2023 to 2024.
Cash Flow
88
Very Positive
The company has consistently generated strong operating cash flows, with a significant increase from 2019 to 2024. The free cash flow growth is impressive, highlighting effective capital management. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is consistently above 1, indicating efficient cash flow conversion. While free cash flow to net income ratios are equally strong, reflecting robust cash generation relative to profits.
Breakdown
Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
7.62B7.28B7.27B6.28B5.05B
Gross Profit
2.04B1.99B2.03B1.67B1.22B
EBIT
781.77M771.42M831.58M628.53M401.03M
EBITDA
781.77M829.90M863.26M656.65M426.94M
Net Income Common Stockholders
536.29M536.34M601.17M418.94M269.58M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
781.94M210.11M147.50M118.27M146.07M
Total Assets
4.48B3.73B3.49B3.09B2.50B
Total Debt
447.46M404.79M379.14M360.52M211.33M
Net Debt
-78.81M194.68M231.64M242.26M65.26M
Total Liabilities
1.42B1.11B1.24B1.09B717.16M
Stockholders Equity
2.66B2.23B1.89B1.66B1.49B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
773.10M526.48M538.17M325.46M518.04M
Operating Cash Flow
773.10M561.95M571.96M349.57M534.38M
Investing Cash Flow
-290.67M-41.34M-33.84M-148.58M-16.34M
Financing Cash Flow
-158.53M-460.08M-503.96M-249.62M-448.49M

Watsco Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price494.30
Price Trends
50DMA
484.96
Positive
100DMA
497.11
Negative
200DMA
485.03
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
3.82
Negative
RSI
50.88
Neutral
STOCH
20.54
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For WSO, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 494.3 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 490.24, above the 50-day MA of 484.96, and above the 200-day MA of 485.03, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 3.82 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 50.88 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 20.54 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for WSO.

Watsco Risk Analysis

Watsco disclosed 17 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Watsco reported the most risks in the “Macro & Political” category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Watsco Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (62)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
WSWSO
78
Outperform
$19.97B37.1620.18%2.19%4.59%-2.05%
EMEME
77
Outperform
$17.99B18.3934.28%0.25%15.76%61.64%
JCJCI
75
Outperform
$53.41B30.8911.01%1.79%-4.53%-14.72%
LILII
75
Outperform
$20.39B25.4294.91%0.78%7.21%36.45%
FIFIX
71
Outperform
$12.29B23.6630.65%0.35%34.97%62.08%
64
Neutral
$6.14B37.3420.44%0.43%2.75%-5.43%
62
Neutral
$8.11B13.341.17%3.02%4.16%-15.14%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
WSO
Watsco
494.30
108.99
28.29%
AAON
Aaon
75.25
-5.46
-6.76%
FIX
Comfort Systems
339.17
26.73
8.56%
EME
EMCOR Group
388.08
63.14
19.43%
JCI
Johnson Controls
80.90
21.63
36.49%
LII
Lennox International
588.07
116.83
24.79%

Watsco Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date: Feb 18, 2025 | % Change Since: 2.19% | Next Earnings Date: Apr 17, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call was generally positive, with record sales and earnings, strong growth in key segments, and a strategic focus on technology and acquisitions. However, there were some challenges in non-equipment sales and the ongoing transition to A2L products.
Highlights
Record Sales and Earnings
Watsco achieved record sales, expanded margins, and generated record earnings and cash flow in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Strong Equipment and Residential Products Growth
Equipment sales grew by 14% and residential products saw a 16% increase, driven by improving market conditions.
Dividend Increase
An 11% increase in the dividend was announced, raising it to $12 per share.
Technology and E-commerce Expansion
The community of active users of Watsco mobile apps expanded to over 64,000 users, and e-commerce sales increased by 16%, representing 35% of annual sales ($2.6 billion).
Successful Mergers and Acquisitions
Watsco completed its 70th acquisition since 1989, enhancing its growth and market share.
Lowlights
Non-Equipment Sales Stagnation
Non-equipment sales remained stagnant, affected by commodities like copper, refrigerant, and steel.
Challenges with Transition to A2L Products
Transition to the A2L refrigerant products was still underway, with expectations to fully transition by the second quarter of 2025. Initial sales impact was minimal.
Company Guidance
During the Watsco Fourth Quarter 2024 and Year End Earnings Call, substantial growth metrics were highlighted, including a 14% increase in equipment sales and a 16% rise in residential products. The company celebrated record sales, expanded margins, improved operating efficiency, and generated record earnings and cash flow. In addition, they announced an 11% dividend increase to $12 per share. E-commerce sales grew by 16%, representing 35% of annual sales, or $2.6 billion, while their digital sales platform, OnCall Air, generated a 25% increase in gross merchandise value. Watsco's transition to A2L products, projected to influence 50% to 60% of sales, is underway, with plans to transition $1 billion in inventories. The company also completed its 70th acquisition since 1989, emphasizing its long-term growth strategy and strong financial position as key differentiators in the market.

Watsco Corporate Events

DividendsBusiness Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Watsco Increases Annual Dividend Amid Strong Financials
Positive
Feb 18, 2025

On February 18, 2025, Watsco announced an 11% increase in its annual dividend to $12.00 per share, highlighting its strong financial performance in the fourth quarter of 2024. The company reported a 9% increase in sales to a record $1.75 billion, expanded margins, and record cash flow. Watsco’s strategic investment in digital platforms has driven higher sales growth and customer acquisition, positioning it well for future growth in the $74 billion HVAC/R distribution market. The company’s leadership is optimistic about continued growth, driven by technology adoption and a transition to A2L products.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.