Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) Shares Purchased by Baader Bank Aktiengesellschaft

Baader Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted its holdings in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG - Free Report) by 81.8% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 42,476 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 19,115 shares during the period. Ferguson makes up approximately 0.5% of Baader Bank Aktiengesellschaft's investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th largest holding. Baader Bank Aktiengesellschaft's holdings in Ferguson were worth $7,371,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of FERG. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC boosted its position in Ferguson by 1.8% in the 3rd quarter. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC now owns 3,307 shares of the company's stock worth $657,000 after purchasing an additional 57 shares in the last quarter. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Ferguson by 3.2% during the 3rd quarter. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,952 shares of the company's stock valued at $388,000 after buying an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in shares of Ferguson by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 23,834 shares of the company's stock valued at $4,137,000 after buying an additional 86 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Ferguson by 33.8% during the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 364 shares of the company's stock valued at $72,000 after buying an additional 92 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Commerce Bank lifted its position in shares of Ferguson by 3.8% during the 3rd quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 2,666 shares of the company's stock valued at $529,000 after buying an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.98% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on FERG. Oppenheimer began coverage on Ferguson in a research report on Wednesday, October 23rd. They set an "outperform" rating and a $234.00 target price on the stock. Barclays decreased their target price on Ferguson from $234.00 to $211.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on Ferguson from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Berenberg Bank increased their price objective on Ferguson from $224.00 to $240.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued an "outperform" rating and issued a $219.00 price objective on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $220.10.

Ferguson Trading Up 1.6 %

Shares of FERG traded up $2.80 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $181.58. The company had a trading volume of 603,938 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,492,536. Ferguson plc has a 1-year low of $167.27 and a 1-year high of $225.63. The stock has a market cap of $36.31 billion, a PE ratio of 21.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 1.24. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $188.08 and a 200-day simple moving average of $197.57. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 20th will be paid 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.83%. 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.