Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) Receives Average Rating of "Moderate Buy" from Brokerages

Shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG - Get Free Report) have been given an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by the ten brokerages that are covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and eight have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $222.40.

Several research firms have recently issued reports on FERG. Berenberg Bank upped their target price on shares of Ferguson from $224.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Oppenheimer began coverage on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Wednesday, October 23rd. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $234.00 price objective for the company. Robert W. Baird dropped their target price on shares of Ferguson from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Barclays reduced their target price on Ferguson from $245.00 to $234.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Finally, Citigroup cut their price objective on Ferguson from $221.00 to $189.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 6th.

Institutional Trading of Ferguson

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. BOKF NA increased its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 236.7% in the second quarter. BOKF NA now owns 1,899 shares of the company's stock worth $368,000 after purchasing an additional 1,335 shares during the period. Parallel Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 9.2% in the 2nd quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 2,132 shares of the company's stock valued at $413,000 after acquiring an additional 180 shares in the last quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 38.1% in the 2nd quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 22,686 shares of the company's stock valued at $4,393,000 after acquiring an additional 6,255 shares in the last quarter. Rathbones Group PLC boosted its position in shares of Ferguson by 7.5% during the 2nd quarter. Rathbones Group PLC now owns 6,580 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,274,000 after acquiring an additional 461 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 0.5% during the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 45,652 shares of the company's stock worth $8,841,000 after purchasing an additional 212 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.98% of the company's stock.

Ferguson Stock Down 0.4 %

Ferguson stock traded down $0.75 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $175.40. 2,008,432 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,489,193. The company has a market capitalization of $35.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.06, a PEG ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.24. The business's 50 day moving average is $193.57 and its 200 day moving average is $198.52. Ferguson has a 52 week low of $167.27 and a 52 week high of $225.63. The company has a current ratio of 1.80, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 6th. Investors of record on Friday, December 20th will be issued a $0.83 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 20th. This is an increase from Ferguson's previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.89%. Ferguson's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 39.86%.

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.