Watsco, Inc. (WSO) AI Stock Analysis

NYSE: WSOAI research summary: business, growth, valuation, analysts, bull and bear case.

WSO AI stock analysis summary

AI Research

Watsco, Inc. (WSO) is a major distributor of air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration equipment and supplies across North America. The company generated $7.28B in trailing twelve-month revenue with an operating margin of 10.9%, but its annual revenue contracted 5.0% in FY2025. It maintains a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18 while paying an annual forward dividend of $13.20 per share.

Market cap
$12.21B
Revenue (TTM)
$7.28B
P/E
25.4x
fwd 21.3x
1Y return
-17.0%
S&P 500 16.8%
Avg. target
$367.40
24.2% vs last close

Bull case

  • Watsco generated $535.1M in free cash flow during FY2025 while maintaining a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18.
  • The stock delivers an attractive income stream with a 4.46% dividend yield and a 42-year track record of consecutive payouts.
  • Wall Street analysts project FY2027 earnings per share growth of 9.1% to $13.26 on $8.00B in revenue.

Bear case

  • Annual revenue contracted 5.0% in FY2025, and quarterly earnings declined 11.7% in the quarter ended June 30, 2026.
  • The stock's trailing valuation of 25.4x earnings and 18.6x EV/EBITDA trades at a premium to the US-listed Industrials peer medians of 24.8x and 13.9x.
  • The dividend payout ratio stands at 111.9%, indicating that trailing dividend distributions exceed net income.

What Watsco does

Watsco, Inc. distributes air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration (HVACR) equipment, parts, and supplies. Its offerings include residential ducted and ductless air conditioners, gas, electric, and oil furnaces, commercial HVAC systems, and specialized equipment. It also supplies replacement parts such as compressors, evaporator coils, and motors, alongside ancillary products including thermostats, insulation, refrigerants, and ductwork. Operating across 671 locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, Watsco primarily serves contractors and dealers handling replacement and new construction markets, while also exporting to Latin America and the Caribbean Basin.

Growth and profitability

Over the five fiscal years from FY2020 to FY2025, Watsco generated a revenue compound annual growth rate of 7.4%. Revenue rose from $6.28B in FY2021 to a peak of $7.62B in FY2024 before declining 5.0% to $7.24B in FY2025. Gross margin reached 28.0% in FY2025, up from 26.6% in FY2021, while operating margin was 9.6% compared to 10.0% in FY2021. Net income totaled $497.0M in FY2025 with diluted earnings per share of $12.11. For the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, revenue increased 2.1% year-over-year, while quarterly earnings fell 11.7%.

WSO income statement →

Balance sheet and cash flow

As of June 30, 2026, Watsco held $464.2M in cash and short-term investments against total debt of $535.3M, resulting in net debt of $71.1M. Shareholders' equity stood at $2.99B with total assets of $5.08B. The company displays strong liquidity with a current ratio of 3.20 and a conservative debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. In FY2025, Watsco generated $569.6M in operating cash flow and $535.1M in free cash flow, deploying $34.5M toward capital expenditures, $3.7M to share buybacks, and $473.8M to dividend payments.

WSO balance sheet →

Valuation and performance

Watsco carries a market capitalization of $12.21B and an enterprise value of $13.02B. The stock trades at a trailing price-to-earnings multiple of 25.4x, above the 24.8x median of its US-listed Industrials peers. Its forward price-to-earnings ratio of 21.3x and enterprise value to EBITDA of 18.6x also sit above peer medians of 17.2x and 13.9x, respectively. Over the past year, Watsco shares dropped 17.0%, while the S&P 500 returned 16.8%. Over five years, the stock gained 20.1% compared to an 83.0% return for the broader index.

WSO key metrics →

WSO dividend

Watsco has paid dividends for 42 consecutive years and yields 4.46% based on an annual forward dividend of $13.20 per share. Dividends are paid quarterly, and the payout has expanded at an annualized 5-year growth rate of 11.1%. In FY2025, the company paid $473.8M in dividends, bringing its trailing payout ratio to 111.9%. The most recent ex-dividend date was October 16, 2026.

WSO dividend history →

What analysts expect

Wall Street coverage includes 3 Strong Buy, 10 Hold, and 1 Strong Sell ratings. The mean price target is $367.40, representing 24.2% upside relative to the last close of $295.91. Consensus estimates project FY2026 revenue of $7.56B and EPS of $12.16, followed by FY2027 revenue of $8.00B with EPS of $13.26. Watsco exceeded earnings expectations in 1 of its past 4 quarters, with its next earnings report scheduled for October 27, 2026.

WSO forecast and price target →

Key risks and what to watch

  • Earnings execution has been uneven, with the company beating earnings estimates in only 1 of the last 4 quarters.
  • Short interest represents 15.5% of the float, reflecting elevated short positioning in the market.
  • The stock price trades 18.1% below its 200-day moving average and dropped 17.0% over the trailing 12 months.

AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer

About this WSO AI stock analysis

This page is an AI-written research summary of Watsco, Inc. (WSO). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.

Related: WSO income statement, WSO balance sheet, WSO key metrics, WSO analyst forecast, WSO chart. See the WSO stock overview for the latest quote and news.

WSO AI stock analysis FAQ

What dividend does Watsco pay?

Watsco pays a quarterly dividend totaling $13.20 per share on an annualized forward basis, which equals a 4.46% dividend yield. The company has paid dividends for 42 consecutive years.

What are Watsco's valuation multiples compared to its industry peers?

Watsco trades at 25.4x trailing earnings and 18.6x EV/EBITDA. Both metrics sit above the median of its US-listed Industrials peers, which trade at 24.8x and 13.9x, respectively.

How leveraged is Watsco's balance sheet?

Watsco maintains a conservative financial structure with $464.2M in cash, $535.3M in total debt, and net debt of $71.1M as of June 30, 2026. Its debt-to-equity ratio is 0.18 and its current ratio is 3.20.

When is Watsco's next earnings date?

Watsco is scheduled to release its next financial results on October 27, 2026.

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