Equitable Trust Co. Acquires 9,409 Shares of Ferguson plc $FERG

Key Points

• Equitable Trust Co. increased its stake in Ferguson by 842.3% in Q4, acquiring an additional 9,409 shares to hold 10,526 shares valued at about $2.34 million.
• Ferguson announced a $2.0 billion share repurchase program (≈3.9% of shares) and reported Q1 results that beat estimates with EPS $2.28 vs. $2.14 and revenue of $7.47 billion (+3.6% YoY).
• Analyst sentiment is broadly constructive — Wells Fargo upgraded to "overweight" and raised its price target to $285, while the consensus rating is a "Moderate Buy" with an average target around $269.60.

Equitable Trust Co. grew its holdings in Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG - Free Report) by 842.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 10,526 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 9,409 shares during the quarter. Equitable Trust Co.'s holdings in Ferguson were worth $2,343,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of FERG. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division bought a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the third quarter worth about $28,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 178.3% in the third quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 128 shares of the company's stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Grove Bank & Trust increased its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 154.4% in the fourth quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 145 shares of the company's stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 88 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Johnson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Ferguson during the third quarter worth about $34,000. 81.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Key Ferguson News

Here are the key news stories impacting Ferguson this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Wells Fargo raised its price target to $285 and upgraded Ferguson to "overweight," implying ~13% upside from current levels — a supportive analyst signal for momentum. Wells Fargo raises price target
• Positive Sentiment: Board approved a $2.0 billion share repurchase program (up to ~3.9% of shares outstanding), a strong capital-return move that typically supports share price and signals management confidence. Ferguson approves $2B buyback
• Positive Sentiment: Q1 results topped estimates: EPS $2.28 vs. consensus $2.14, revenue $7.47B (+3.6% YoY). Management highlighted non-residential strength and cash generation that funds growth and buybacks. These operational beats are a primary reason investors are bullish. Ferguson reports Q1 results
• Positive Sentiment: Ferguson formed a strategic alliance with Contractor Commerce to help contractor customers modernize e‑commerce and drive digital sales — incremental revenue/retention opportunity over time. Strategic alliance with Contractor Commerce
• Neutral Sentiment: Ferguson filed its Form 10‑Q (Q1) and an 8‑K; routine SEC filings that provide detail but don’t fundamentally change the story. Investors should read the 10‑Q for any updates to guidance or one‑time items. Ferguson files Form 10-Q
• Neutral Sentiment: Management/insider share vesting disclosures were filed (restricted stock units vested for directors/PDMRs) — standard reporting that can modestly increase tradable float if shares are sold. Director/PDMR shareholding notice
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst coverage remains broadly constructive (average rating around "Moderate Buy"), which supports medium‑term investor sentiment but is not a catalyst by itself. Brokerage coverage summary
• Neutral Sentiment: Local municipal headlines (Ferguson city council rejecting a tax abatement/data‑center proposal) are likely unrelated to Ferguson plc’s operations and are not expected to materially affect the stock. City council rejects tax abatement

Ferguson Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE FERG opened at $252.13 on Thursday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $243.90 and a 200 day moving average price of $244.02. Ferguson plc has a 52 week low of $166.04 and a 52 week high of $271.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a current ratio of 1.88. The stock has a market capitalization of $49.01 billion, a PE ratio of 25.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.23.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 5th. The company reported $2.28 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.14 by $0.14. Ferguson had a return on equity of 38.92% and a net margin of 6.98%.The firm had revenue of $7.47 billion during the quarter. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.50 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 3.6% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Ferguson plc will post 11.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Ferguson declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase plan on Tuesday, May 5th that authorizes the company to buyback $2.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to purchase up to 3.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are usually a sign that the company's board believes its stock is undervalued.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 8th. Investors of record on Friday, May 15th will be given a dividend of $0.89 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 15th. This represents a $3.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. Ferguson's dividend payout ratio is 35.96%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

FERG has been the subject of several recent research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price objective on Ferguson from $271.00 to $281.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday. Barclays upped their price objective on Ferguson from $278.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Ferguson from $260.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday. Oppenheimer upped their price objective on Ferguson from $255.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. Finally, Citigroup reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Wednesday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $269.60.

Ferguson Profile

Ferguson NYSE: FERG is a multinational distributor specializing in plumbing and heating products and related building supplies, serving professional contractors, builders and industrial customers. The company supplies a broad range of products used in residential, commercial and infrastructure projects, including pipes and fittings, valves and controls, HVAC equipment, waterworks materials, plumbing fixtures, pumps and accessories, as well as complementary electrical and specialty product lines.

Ferguson operates a network of branches and distribution centers that provide inventory, logistics and value-added services to trade customers.

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