Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) Shares Acquired by Waverton Investment Management Ltd

Waverton Investment Management Ltd grew its stake in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG - Free Report) by 8.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 878,708 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 65,804 shares during the period. Ferguson makes up about 2.9% of Waverton Investment Management Ltd's portfolio, making the stock its 17th biggest position. Waverton Investment Management Ltd owned about 0.44% of Ferguson worth $174,489,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Entropy Technologies LP lifted its stake in shares of Ferguson by 66.2% during the 3rd quarter. Entropy Technologies LP now owns 51,647 shares of the company's stock worth $10,256,000 after acquiring an additional 20,580 shares during the last quarter. Chartwell Investment Partners LLC purchased a new position in Ferguson during the 3rd quarter worth $6,633,000. Wolverine Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Ferguson during the 3rd quarter worth $2,482,000. Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in Ferguson by 5.9% during the 3rd quarter. Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,412,652 shares of the company's stock worth $280,510,000 after purchasing an additional 79,152 shares during the period. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new position in shares of Ferguson in the 3rd quarter valued at $40,000. 81.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Ferguson Stock Performance

Shares of FERG stock traded down $2.83 on Tuesday, hitting $205.86. The company had a trading volume of 1,326,978 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,270,357. The firm has a market cap of $41.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 1.20. Ferguson plc has a twelve month low of $159.20 and a twelve month high of $225.63. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $198.70 and a 200-day moving average price of $203.33.

Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, September 17th. The company reported $2.98 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.86 by $0.12. Ferguson had a return on equity of 36.53% and a net margin of 5.85%. The company had revenue of $7.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $8.01 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.77 EPS. Ferguson's quarterly revenue was up 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Ferguson plc will post 9.77 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Ferguson Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 27th were given a $0.79 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 27th. This represents a $3.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.54%. Ferguson's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 37.05%.

Insider Activity

In related news, CMO Victoria Morrissey sold 1,468 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $201.20, for a total value of $295,361.60. Following the transaction, the chief marketing officer now directly owns 5,205 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,047,246. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other Ferguson news, CMO Victoria Morrissey sold 1,468 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, October 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $201.20, for a total transaction of $295,361.60. Following the transaction, the chief marketing officer now directly owns 5,205 shares in the company, valued at $1,047,246. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CAO Richard Winckler sold 1,325 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, October 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $201.75, for a total value of $267,318.75. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 1,000 shares in the company, valued at $201,750. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 12,313 shares of company stock worth $2,477,901 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.16% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on FERG. UBS Group lifted their price target on Ferguson from $228.00 to $236.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 18th. Oppenheimer began coverage on Ferguson in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $234.00 price target on the stock. Barclays lifted their price target on Ferguson from $229.00 to $245.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 18th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Ferguson from $225.00 to $232.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on Ferguson from $211.00 to $219.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note 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, Ferguson presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $233.38.

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.