Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG) Hits New 1-Year Low - Time to Sell?

Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG - Get Free Report)'s share price hit a new 52-week low during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $146.00 and last traded at $164.22, with a volume of 3710573 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $148.02.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on FERG. Oppenheimer lowered their price target on Ferguson from $234.00 to $189.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 12th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $189.00 target price on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Tuesday, March 18th. UBS Group reissued a "neutral" rating and issued a $193.00 price target (down from $230.00) on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Bank of America raised shares of Ferguson from an "underperform" rating to a "buy" rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $185.00 to $225.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Ferguson from $180.00 to $190.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $199.38.

Ferguson Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $33.05 billion, a PE ratio of 19.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.17. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $167.97 and a 200-day moving average of $184.05.

Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 11th. The company reported $1.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.58 by ($0.06). Ferguson had a net margin of 5.68% and a return on equity of 34.63%. The company had revenue of $6.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.76 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.74 EPS. The business's quarterly revenue was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Ferguson plc will post 9.4 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 21st will be given a $0.83 dividend. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.01%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 21st. Ferguson's dividend payout ratio is presently 40.84%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ferguson

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Manchester Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Ferguson by 906.7% in the fourth quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 151 shares of the company's stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 166.7% in the 1st quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 208 shares of the company's stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 130 shares during the last quarter. LGT Financial Advisors LLC raised its position 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 acquiring an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. Berbice Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the 4th quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in Ferguson during the fourth quarter worth approximately $45,000. 81.98% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.