Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) Given Consensus Recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Key Points

• Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus on Ferguson, with 10 buy, two strong-buy and five hold ratings. The average 12-month price target is approximately $285.57, above the stock’s reported $228.53 price.
• Ferguson exceeded quarterly earnings expectations, reporting $3.39 in EPS versus the $3.23 consensus on $8.75 billion in revenue. Analysts project $11.42 in EPS for the current fiscal year.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.89, equivalent to $3.56 annually and a 1.6% yield, while institutional investors own nearly 82% of outstanding shares.

Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG - Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of "Moderate Buy" by the seventeen research firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $285.5707.

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Oppenheimer lifted their price target on Ferguson from $280.00 to $288.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a "hold" rating and set a $261.00 target price on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Tuesday, August 18th. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Ferguson from $252.00 to $256.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 11th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Ferguson from $285.00 to $295.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, Zelman & Associates upgraded Ferguson from a "hold" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $285.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Friday, July 17th.

Ferguson Stock Performance

NYSE FERG opened at $228.53 on Monday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $235.52 and a 200 day moving average price of $238.07. The company has a market capitalization of $44.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.85, a PEG ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 1.13. Ferguson has a 1-year low of $207.64 and a 1-year high of $271.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 1.73 and a quick ratio of 0.93.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, August 10th. The company reported $3.39 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $3.23 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $8.75 billion for the quarter. Ferguson had a return on equity of 37.24% and a net margin of 6.82%. Sell-side analysts expect that Ferguson will post 11.42 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 7th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 21st will be issued a $0.89 dividend. This represents a $3.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 21st. Ferguson's payout ratio is 41.83%.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Jake Schlicher sold 5,177 shares of Ferguson stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $230.92, for a total transaction of $1,195,472.84. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 9,490 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,191,430.80. This trade represents a 35.30% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.15% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ferguson

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Leonteq Securities AG purchased a new stake in Ferguson in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Basepoint Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Ferguson in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Compass Financial Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Ferguson during the 2nd quarter worth $32,000. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT lifted its stake in shares of Ferguson by 123.4% during the 4th quarter. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT now owns 143 shares of the company's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 79 shares during the period. Finally, Johnson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the third quarter worth $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.98% of the company's stock.

Ferguson Company Profile

Ferguson NYSE: FERG is a multinational distributor specializing in plumbing and heating products and related building supplies, serving professional contractors, builders and industrial customers. The company supplies a broad range of products used in residential, commercial and infrastructure projects, including pipes and fittings, valves and controls, HVAC equipment, waterworks materials, plumbing fixtures, pumps and accessories, as well as complementary electrical and specialty product lines.

Ferguson operates a network of branches and distribution centers that provide inventory, logistics and value-added services to trade customers.

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