Comgest Global Investors S.A.S. Raises Stock Position in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

Comgest Global Investors S.A.S. grew its position in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG - Free Report) by 15.9% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 54,429 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 7,471 shares during the period. Comgest Global Investors S.A.S.'s holdings in Ferguson were worth $9,447,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. FMR LLC lifted its position in shares of Ferguson by 18.2% during the 4th quarter. FMR LLC now owns 10,007,892 shares of the company's stock worth $1,740,049,000 after buying an additional 1,539,889 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Ferguson by 25.9% during the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 5,991,445 shares of the company's stock worth $1,039,935,000 after purchasing an additional 1,231,120 shares during the period. Parnassus Investments LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 944.4% in the 4th quarter. Parnassus Investments LLC now owns 3,537,155 shares of the company's stock worth $613,944,000 after buying an additional 3,198,477 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Ferguson by 0.6% during the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 3,215,657 shares of the company's stock worth $557,082,000 after buying an additional 18,036 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pictet Asset Management Holding SA boosted its stake in Ferguson by 7.4% in the fourth quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA now owns 2,804,595 shares of the company's stock valued at $486,814,000 after acquiring an additional 192,052 shares during the last quarter. 81.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Ferguson Stock Up 1.2 %

Shares of FERG stock traded up $1.89 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $164.28. 1,604,932 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,563,506. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. The stock has a market cap of $32.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.72, a PEG ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.17. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $166.66 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $183.30. Ferguson plc has a 12-month low of $146.00 and a 12-month high of $225.63.

Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, March 11th. The company reported $1.52 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.58 by ($0.06). Ferguson had a return on equity of 34.63% and a net margin of 5.68%. The company had revenue of $6.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.76 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.74 earnings per share. The company's revenue was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that Ferguson plc will post 9.4 EPS for the current year.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 6th. Investors of record on Friday, March 21st will be given a $0.83 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 21st. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.02%. Ferguson's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 40.84%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently commented on FERG shares. Citigroup dropped their price target on Ferguson from $189.00 to $168.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 12th. Robert W. Baird set a $190.00 target price on shares of Ferguson and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Ferguson from $205.00 to $190.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 19th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. They issued a "hold" rating and a $174.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on Ferguson in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $204.00 target price on the stock. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $199.38.

Ferguson 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.