Mcdonald Partners LLC Makes New Investment in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

Mcdonald Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 1,780 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $309,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its position in Ferguson by 32.5% during the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 32,025 shares of the company's stock worth $6,359,000 after buying an additional 7,862 shares in the last quarter. Neo Ivy Capital Management acquired a new stake in Ferguson during the third quarter worth about $970,000. Clean Yield Group grew its position in Ferguson by 27.1% during the fourth quarter. Clean Yield Group now owns 25,959 shares of the company's stock worth $4,506,000 after buying an additional 5,534 shares in the last quarter. Entropy Technologies LP grew its position in Ferguson by 66.2% during the third quarter. Entropy Technologies LP now owns 51,647 shares of the company's stock worth $10,256,000 after buying an additional 20,580 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Eagle Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in Ferguson by 79.6% during the third quarter. Eagle Asset Management Inc. now owns 646,954 shares of the company's stock worth $134,217,000 after purchasing an additional 286,691 shares during the period. 81.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ferguson Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:FERG traded down $3.60 during trading on Friday, reaching $175.90. The stock had a trading volume of 1,573,431 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,416,733. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 0.91. The business's 50-day moving average price is $178.87 and its 200 day moving average price is $194.24. Ferguson plc has a 52 week low of $167.27 and a 52 week high of $225.63. The stock has a market capitalization of $35.17 billion, a PE ratio of 21.12, a P/E/G ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 1.24.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 6th. Investors of record on Friday, December 20th were given a $0.83 dividend. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.89%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 20th. This is a boost from Ferguson's previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. Ferguson's payout ratio is 39.86%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

FERG has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Berenberg Bank raised their price target 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. UBS Group restated a "neutral" rating and set a $193.00 price target (down previously from $230.00) on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Robert W. Baird cut their price target on shares of Ferguson from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an "outperform" rating and set a $219.00 price target on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Barclays cut their price target on shares of Ferguson from $234.00 to $211.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $217.73.

About Ferguson

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.