Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG) Hits New 52-Week High - Should You Buy?

Key Points

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Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG - Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $232.92 and last traded at $231.40, with a volume of 1193612 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $231.26.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $173.00 to $204.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $200.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, June 6th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $230.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 8th. Morgan Stanley reissued an "overweight" rating and set a $220.00 price objective (up previously from $195.00) on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Monday, June 9th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Wednesday, June 18th. They set a "buy" rating and a $280.00 price objective for the company. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $220.64.

Ferguson Trading Up 1.8%

The firm has a market cap of $45.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.00, a P/E/G ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.16. The business's 50-day moving average is $222.72 and its two-hundred day moving average is $191.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 0.91.

Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, June 3rd. The company reported $2.50 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.06 by $0.44. Ferguson had a net margin of 5.68% and a return on equity of 34.63%. The company's revenue was up 4.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.32 earnings per share. As a group, analysts predict that Ferguson plc will post 9.4 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 20th were paid a $0.83 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 20th. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.4%. Ferguson's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 41.40%.

Institutional Trading of Ferguson

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its stake in Ferguson by 145.3% in the second quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 130 shares of the company's stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 77 shares during the last quarter. Hemington Wealth Management lifted its stake in shares of Ferguson by 51.5% during the 2nd quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 153 shares of the company's stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 52 shares during the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its stake in shares of Ferguson by 230.8% during the 2nd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 172 shares of the company's stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 120 shares during the last quarter. Maseco LLP acquired a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the 2nd quarter worth about $40,000. Finally, LGT Financial Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Ferguson by 106.3% during the 4th quarter. LGT Financial Advisors LLC now owns 198 shares of the company's stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 102 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.98% 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.