Clean Yield Group Raises Position in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

Clean Yield Group increased its holdings in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG - Free Report) by 27.1% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 25,959 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 5,534 shares during the period. Ferguson comprises approximately 1.4% of Clean Yield Group's investment portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest holding. Clean Yield Group's holdings in Ferguson were worth $4,506,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in FERG. Asset Dedication LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the third quarter worth approximately $27,000. True Wealth Design LLC grew its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 1,350.0% during the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 145 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the third quarter valued at about $37,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Ferguson in the third quarter worth about $39,000. Finally, Reston Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Ferguson during the third quarter worth about $40,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.98% of the company's stock.

Ferguson Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of FERG stock traded up $0.55 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $170.30. The company had a trading volume of 1,838,381 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,431,326. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.80 and a quick ratio of 1.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $34.05 billion, a PE ratio of 20.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.24. The company's fifty day moving average is $194.10 and its 200 day moving average is $198.65. Ferguson plc has a fifty-two week low of $167.27 and a fifty-two week high of $225.63.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 20th will be paid a dividend of $0.83 per share. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.95%. This is a boost from Ferguson's previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 20th. Ferguson's dividend payout ratio is 39.86%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on FERG. Berenberg Bank boosted their target price on Ferguson from $224.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on Ferguson from $220.00 to $215.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. UBS Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and issued a $193.00 target price (down from $230.00) on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Oppenheimer began coverage on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Wednesday, October 23rd. They set an "outperform" rating and a $234.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $245.00 to $234.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $222.40.

Ferguson Company Profile

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.