Bridgewater Associates LP grew its stake in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG - Free Report) by 281.5% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,956 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 2,919 shares during the period. Bridgewater Associates LP's holdings in Ferguson were worth $687,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. boosted its stake in Ferguson by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. now owns 6,390 shares of the company's stock worth $1,109,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its position in shares of Ferguson by 0.4% in the fourth quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 23,834 shares of the company's stock worth $4,137,000 after buying an additional 86 shares during the period. Caprock Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 2.8% during the fourth quarter. Caprock Group LLC now owns 3,496 shares of the company's stock valued at $610,000 after buying an additional 94 shares in the last quarter. Assetmark Inc. raised its position in Ferguson by 41.1% during the fourth quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 333 shares of the company's stock valued at $58,000 after buying an additional 97 shares during the period. Finally, Inspire Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Ferguson by 3.7% in the 4th quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC now owns 3,001 shares of the company's stock worth $521,000 after acquiring an additional 108 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.98% of the company's stock.
Ferguson Stock Performance
Shares of NASDAQ FERG traded up $0.17 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $163.44. 1,594,521 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,572,372. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $32.68 billion, a PE ratio of 19.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.17. Ferguson plc has a 12 month low of $146.00 and a 12 month high of $225.63. The company's 50 day moving average price is $165.83 and its 200 day moving average price is $182.77.
Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly 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 net margin of 5.68% and a return on equity of 34.63%. The company had revenue of $6.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.76 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.74 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts predict that Ferguson plc will post 9.4 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Ferguson Dividend Announcement
The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 21st will be given a dividend of $0.83 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 21st. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.03%. Ferguson's dividend payout ratio is currently 40.84%.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
Several brokerages have weighed in on FERG. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on Ferguson from $180.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, April 14th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on Ferguson in a report on Monday, February 3rd. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $204.00 price objective on the stock. Zelman & Associates cut shares of Ferguson from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, January 17th. UBS Group reissued a "neutral" rating and issued a $193.00 target price (down from $230.00) on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Citigroup reduced their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $189.00 to $168.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 12th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Ferguson presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $199.38.
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About Ferguson
(
Free Report)
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.
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