Citigroup Inc. Has $15.42 Million Stake in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

Citigroup Inc. lessened its stake in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG - Free Report) by 82.1% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 96,223 shares of the company's stock after selling 440,212 shares during the period. Citigroup Inc.'s holdings in Ferguson were worth $15,418,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its position in Ferguson by 9.8% in the 1st quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 183,663 shares of the company's stock worth $29,438,000 after purchasing an additional 16,339 shares in the last quarter. ASR Vermogensbeheer N.V. purchased a new position in shares of Ferguson during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $706,000. AXS Investments LLC lifted its position in shares of Ferguson by 16.6% during the 1st quarter. AXS Investments LLC now owns 7,445 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,193,000 after buying an additional 1,062 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Ferguson by 4.4% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 19,168,743 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,071,408,000 after buying an additional 806,718 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Ferguson by 15.9% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 2,989,999 shares of the company's stock valued at $479,088,000 after buying an additional 411,088 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.98% of the company's stock.

Ferguson Price Performance

NASDAQ FERG traded up $3.69 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $231.71. 1,686,819 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,723,971. The stock has a market cap of $45.69 billion, a PE ratio of 27.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.16. Ferguson plc has a one year low of $146.00 and a one year high of $232.11. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $220.99 and a 200-day moving average of $189.48. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83.

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

Ferguson Dividend Announcement

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 of this dividend was Friday, June 20th. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.4%. Ferguson's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 41.40%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

FERG has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Barclays increased their target price on Ferguson from $190.00 to $247.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 4th. Berenberg Bank reiterated a "hold" rating and set a $215.00 target price on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Thursday, June 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on Ferguson in a research report on Wednesday, June 18th. They set a "buy" rating and a $280.00 target price on the stock. Oppenheimer increased their target price on Ferguson from $189.00 to $235.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 4th. Finally, UBS Group increased their target price on Ferguson from $173.00 to $204.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 4th. Six 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, the company currently 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.