Entropy Technologies LP Cuts Stock Position in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

Entropy Technologies LP lowered its stake in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG - Free Report) by 45.1% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 28,335 shares of the company's stock after selling 23,312 shares during the period. Entropy Technologies LP's holdings in Ferguson were worth $4,918,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its stake in Ferguson by 423.0% in the third 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 holdings 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 worth $117,626,000 after acquiring an additional 668,920 shares during the period. Southpoint Capital Advisors LP lifted its position in Ferguson by 133.3% in the 3rd 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 stake in Ferguson by 76.9% in the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 867,593 shares of the company's stock worth $172,281,000 after purchasing an additional 377,283 shares during the period. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC increased its holdings in Ferguson by 910.3% during the 4th 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. 81.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ferguson Stock Down 0.8 %

Shares of NASDAQ FERG traded down $1.49 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $180.92. 1,091,525 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,452,465. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 1.68. The business's fifty day moving average is $182.30 and its 200 day moving average is $195.58. The firm has a market capitalization of $36.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.72, a P/E/G ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 1.24. 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 announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 6th. Investors of record on Friday, December 20th were issued a $0.83 dividend. This is a boost from Ferguson's previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.84%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 20th. Ferguson's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 39.86%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on FERG. Robert W. Baird lowered their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Oppenheimer began coverage on Ferguson in a research note on Wednesday, October 23rd. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $234.00 price objective on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Ferguson from $215.00 to $205.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Berenberg Bank increased their target price on Ferguson from $224.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Ferguson from $234.00 to $211.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Ferguson has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $217.73.

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.