Gabelli Funds LLC bought a new stake in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 1,550 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $269,000.
A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Barclays PLC grew its stake in Ferguson by 76.9% in the third 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. Anchor Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the 3rd quarter worth about $112,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new position in shares of Ferguson in the 3rd quarter worth about $66,000. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its stake in shares of Ferguson by 6.0% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 2,371,954 shares of the company's stock worth $477,858,000 after acquiring an additional 133,769 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lord Abbett & CO. LLC boosted its stake in Ferguson by 9.9% during the third quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC now owns 518,867 shares of the company's stock worth $103,031,000 after acquiring an additional 46,947 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.98% of the company's stock.
Ferguson Stock Performance
Shares of NASDAQ FERG traded up $0.21 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $169.73. 866,775 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,577,259. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $165.11 and a 200 day moving average of $182.46. Ferguson plc has a 1 year low of $146.00 and a 1 year high of $225.63. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $33.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.34, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.17.
Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 11th. The company reported $1.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.58 by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $6.87 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.76 billion. Ferguson had a net margin of 5.68% and a return on equity of 34.63%. The company's revenue was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.74 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that Ferguson plc will post 9.4 earnings per share for the current year.
Ferguson Announces Dividend
The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.83 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 21st. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.96%. Ferguson's dividend payout ratio is presently 40.84%.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
Several research firms have recently issued reports on FERG. Wolfe Research started coverage on shares of Ferguson in a report on Monday, March 17th. They set a "peer perform" rating for the company. Barclays cut their target price on Ferguson from $211.00 to $190.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 12th. Citigroup lowered their price target on Ferguson from $189.00 to $168.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, March 12th. UBS Group restated a "neutral" rating and set a $193.00 price objective (down from $230.00) on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Ferguson from $180.00 to $190.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, April 14th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $199.38.
View Our Latest Research Report on FERG
Ferguson Company Profile
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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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