1,953 Shares in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) Acquired by Spire Wealth Management

Spire Wealth Management acquired a new stake in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 1,953 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $339,000.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of FERG. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its holdings in Ferguson by 423.0% during the 3rd quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 1,462,836 shares of the company's stock valued at $290,475,000 after buying an additional 1,183,143 shares in the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. raised its stake in shares of Ferguson by 7,632.6% during the fourth quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 677,684 shares of the company's stock valued at $117,626,000 after acquiring an additional 668,920 shares in the last quarter. Southpoint Capital Advisors LP raised its stake in shares of Ferguson by 133.3% during the third quarter. Southpoint Capital Advisors LP now owns 700,000 shares of the company's stock valued at $138,999,000 after acquiring an additional 400,000 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC boosted its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 76.9% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 867,593 shares of the company's stock valued at $172,281,000 after purchasing an additional 377,283 shares during the period. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC grew its stake in Ferguson by 910.3% in the fourth quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 366,015 shares of the company's stock worth $63,529,000 after purchasing an additional 329,786 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.98% of the company's stock.

Ferguson Price Performance

Shares of FERG opened at $182.08 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $184.51 and a two-hundred day moving average of $196.49. The company has a market cap of $36.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. Ferguson plc has a twelve month low of $167.27 and a twelve month high of $225.63.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 6th. Investors of record on Friday, December 20th were paid a dividend of $0.83 per share. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.82%. This is an increase from Ferguson's previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 20th. Ferguson's payout ratio is 39.86%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Barclays decreased their target price on Ferguson from $234.00 to $211.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. Robert W. Baird lowered their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of Ferguson from $221.00 to $189.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 6th. UBS Group restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $193.00 price target (down previously from $230.00) on shares of Ferguson in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $219.00 price objective on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Ferguson has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $217.73.

About Ferguson

Ferguson plc distributes plumbing and heating products in the United States and Canada. It offers plumbing and heating solutions to customers in the residential, commercial, civil/infrastructure, and industrial end markets. The company also provides expertise, solutions, and products, including infrastructure, plumbing, appliances, fire, fabrication, and others, as well as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning products under the Ferguson brand name.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.