Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) Stock Holdings Boosted by Quantbot Technologies LP

Quantbot Technologies LP boosted its position in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG - Free Report) by 728.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 63,992 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 56,272 shares during the period. Ferguson comprises 0.5% of Quantbot Technologies LP's investment portfolio, making the stock its 15th biggest position. Quantbot Technologies LP's holdings in Ferguson were worth $12,707,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Asset Dedication LLC purchased a new position in shares of Ferguson during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. EdgeRock Capital LLC purchased a new position in Ferguson during the second quarter worth $32,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in shares of Ferguson in the third quarter worth $37,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the third quarter valued at $39,000. Finally, Reston Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the third quarter valued at $40,000. 81.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ferguson Stock Down 1.6 %

NASDAQ FERG traded down $3.50 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $212.51. The company had a trading volume of 1,286,977 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,272,578. The firm's 50 day moving average is $201.21 and its 200 day moving average is $202.58. The company has a market capitalization of $42.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.91, a P/E/G ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 1.20. Ferguson plc has a fifty-two week low of $166.21 and a fifty-two week high of $225.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.80 and a quick ratio of 1.00.

Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, September 17th. The company reported $2.98 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.86 by $0.12. Ferguson had a return on equity of 36.53% and a net margin of 5.85%. The business had revenue of $7.95 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.01 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.77 EPS. The company's revenue was up 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Ferguson plc will post 9.77 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Ferguson Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 8th. Investors of record on Friday, September 27th were paid a dividend of $0.79 per share. This represents a $3.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.49%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 27th. Ferguson's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 37.05%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have issued reports on FERG shares. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of Ferguson from $211.00 to $219.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 18th. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $229.00 to $245.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 18th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Ferguson from $225.00 to $232.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Citigroup raised their price objective on Ferguson from $203.00 to $221.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 18th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price objective on Ferguson from $228.00 to $236.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 18th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $233.38.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Ian T. Graham sold 5,778 shares of Ferguson stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $201.27, for a total value of $1,162,938.06. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 5,938 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,195,141.26. This trade represents a 49.32 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CMO Victoria Morrissey sold 1,468 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $201.20, for a total value of $295,361.60. Following the sale, the chief marketing officer now owns 5,205 shares in the company, valued at $1,047,246. The trade was a 22.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 12,313 shares of company stock valued at $2,477,901 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.16% of the company's stock.

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.