Cantor Fitzgerald L. P. Makes New Investment in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

Cantor Fitzgerald L. P. bought a new position in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 2,750 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $477,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Manchester Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Ferguson by 906.7% in the 4th quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 151 shares of the company's stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. LGT Financial Advisors LLC increased its position in Ferguson by 106.3% in the fourth quarter. LGT Financial Advisors LLC now owns 198 shares of the company's stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. Berbice Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Ferguson during the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Private Trust Co. NA boosted its holdings in Ferguson by 92.5% in the 4th quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 258 shares of the company's stock worth $45,000 after buying an additional 124 shares during the period. Finally, R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in Ferguson in the 4th quarter worth approximately $45,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.98% of the company's stock.

Ferguson Stock Down 0.3 %

NASDAQ FERG traded down $0.58 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $168.08. 1,780,122 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,596,732. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $163.78 and a 200-day simple moving average of $180.59. The company has a market cap of $33.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.18, a P/E/G ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.14. Ferguson plc has a 1-year low of $146.00 and a 1-year high of $225.63.

Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results 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). Ferguson had a return on equity of 34.63% and a net margin of 5.68%. The business had revenue of $6.87 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.76 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.74 EPS. The business's revenue was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Ferguson plc will post 9.4 EPS for the current year.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 21st were issued a $0.83 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 21st. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.98%. Ferguson's dividend payout ratio is 40.84%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have commented on FERG. Wolfe Research started coverage on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Monday, March 17th. They set a "peer perform" rating for the company. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $189.00 price target on shares of Ferguson in a report on Tuesday, March 18th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on Ferguson in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. They set a "hold" rating and a $174.00 target price on the stock. Zelman & Associates lowered Ferguson from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, January 17th. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $190.00 target price on Ferguson and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 12th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $199.38.

Ferguson 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.