Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) Given Average Recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG - Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the fifteen brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $198.62.

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on FERG shares. Citigroup decreased their price target on Ferguson from $189.00 to $168.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 12th. Zelman & Associates lowered shares of Ferguson from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, January 17th. Bank of America upgraded shares of Ferguson from an "underperform" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $185.00 to $225.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $205.00 to $190.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 19th. Finally, Oppenheimer lowered their target price on shares of Ferguson from $234.00 to $189.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 12th.

Ferguson Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ FERG traded down $6.39 during trading on Monday, reaching $158.42. The company had a trading volume of 2,915,636 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,521,536. Ferguson has a 52 week low of $152.52 and a 52 week high of $225.63. The business's 50 day moving average price is $172.20 and its 200-day moving average price is $186.90. The stock has a market cap of $31.68 billion, a PE ratio of 19.02, a PEG ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 1.68.

Remove Ads

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

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 21st will be paid a $0.83 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 21st. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.10%. Ferguson's payout ratio is 40.84%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ferguson

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Cerity Partners LLC raised its holdings in Ferguson by 176.6% during the 3rd quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 10,147 shares of the company's stock worth $2,015,000 after buying an additional 6,479 shares during the period. Townsquare Capital LLC raised its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 6.6% during the third quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 3,409 shares of the company's stock worth $677,000 after acquiring an additional 210 shares during the period. Bridgewater Associates LP bought a new stake in Ferguson in the 3rd quarter valued at $204,000. Vinva Investment Management Ltd acquired a new position in Ferguson in the 3rd quarter worth $796,000. Finally, Verition Fund Management LLC boosted its stake in Ferguson by 555.8% in the 3rd quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC now owns 39,625 shares of the company's stock worth $7,868,000 after purchasing an additional 33,583 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.98% of the company's stock.

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.