American Century Companies Inc. Decreases Stock Holdings in Ferguson plc $FERG

Key Points

• American Century Companies Inc. reduced its stake in Ferguson plc by 5.8%, now owning 262,227 shares valued at approximately $41.98 million.
• Ferguson recently announced a quarterly dividend of $0.83 per share, translating to an annual yield of 1.4% and a payout ratio of 41.40%.
• In terms of stock performance, Ferguson shares opened at $230.54 and have a 12-month high of $235.12 with expectations for an EPS of 9.4 for the current fiscal year.

American Century Companies Inc. lessened its position in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG - Free Report) by 5.8% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 262,227 shares of the company's stock after selling 16,157 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. owned 0.13% of Ferguson worth $41,979,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Grove Bank & Trust grew its holdings in Ferguson by 247.4% in the 1st quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 198 shares of the company's stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 141 shares during the last quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Ferguson by 166.7% during the first quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 208 shares of the company's stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 130 shares during the period. TD Private Client Wealth LLC increased its position in shares of Ferguson by 56.5% during the first quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 205 shares of the company's stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 74 shares during the period. LGT Financial Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Ferguson by 106.3% during the fourth quarter. LGT Financial Advisors LLC now owns 198 shares of the company's stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 102 shares during the period. Finally, LRI Investments LLC purchased a new stake in Ferguson in the first quarter worth about $46,000. Institutional investors own 81.98% of the company's stock.

Ferguson Stock Up 1.8%

Shares of NASDAQ FERG traded up $4.1880 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $233.2480. The stock had a trading volume of 1,664,452 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,703,642. The business's 50 day moving average is $222.72 and its 200-day moving average is $191.20. The company has a market cap of $45.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.00, a PEG ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.16. Ferguson plc has a 52 week low of $146.00 and a 52 week high of $238.16. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83.

Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, June 3rd. The company reported $2.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.32 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Ferguson plc will post 9.4 EPS for the current year.

Ferguson Dividend Announcement

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

FERG has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Barclays upped their target price on Ferguson from $190.00 to $247.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, June 4th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their target price on Ferguson from $189.00 to $231.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, June 4th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an "overweight" rating and set a $220.00 target price (up previously from $195.00) on shares of Ferguson in a report on Monday, June 9th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $173.00 to $204.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 4th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Wednesday, June 18th. They set a "buy" rating and a $280.00 price objective on the stock. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $220.64.

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.