Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) Holdings Boosted by Bridgewater Associates LP

Bridgewater Associates LP increased its position in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG - Free Report) by 281.5% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 3,956 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 2,919 shares during the period. Bridgewater Associates LP's holdings in Ferguson were worth $687,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Barclays PLC boosted its holdings in Ferguson by 76.9% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 867,593 shares of the company's stock worth $172,281,000 after purchasing an additional 377,283 shares during the period. Anchor Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Ferguson during the third quarter worth about $112,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new position in Ferguson in the third quarter worth about $66,000. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its stake in Ferguson by 6.0% in the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 2,371,954 shares of the company's stock valued at $477,858,000 after acquiring an additional 133,769 shares during the period. Finally, Lord Abbett & CO. LLC grew its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 9.9% during the third quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC now owns 518,867 shares of the company's stock valued at $103,031,000 after purchasing an additional 46,947 shares during the last quarter. 81.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Ferguson Price Performance

Ferguson stock traded down $0.60 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $168.92. The company's stock had a trading volume of 455,262 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,574,429. Ferguson plc has a 12 month low of $146.00 and a 12 month high of $225.63. 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's 50-day moving average price is $165.11 and its 200-day moving average price is $182.46. The company has a market capitalization of $33.77 billion, a PE ratio of 20.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.17.

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

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.83 per share. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.97%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 21st. Ferguson's dividend payout ratio is 40.84%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

FERG has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Robert W. Baird set a $190.00 price objective on Ferguson and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 12th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Ferguson from $180.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, April 14th. Citigroup dropped their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $189.00 to $168.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 12th. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Ferguson from $211.00 to $190.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 12th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $189.00 price target on shares of Ferguson in a report on Tuesday, March 18th. 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, Ferguson currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $199.38.

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.