Ferguson plc $FERG Holdings Decreased by 2Xideas AG

Key Points

• 2Xideas AG trimmed its stake in Ferguson by 51.4% in Q3, selling 41,628 shares and leaving 39,377 shares valued at $8.84 million (Ferguson is its 15th-largest holding).
• Ferguson reported Q EPS of $1.99, missing estimates by $0.25 while revenue rose 3.6% year-over-year, and announced a quarterly dividend of $0.89 (annualized $3.56, 1.6% yield; ex-dividend March 6).
• Institutional ownership is high at 81.98%, with major funds like Wellington and Suvretta increasing positions, and analysts hold a consensus "Moderate Buy" with an average price target of $268.93.

2Xideas AG trimmed its holdings in shares of Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG - Free Report) by 51.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 39,377 shares of the company's stock after selling 41,628 shares during the period. Ferguson makes up about 1.9% of 2Xideas AG's holdings, making the stock its 15th biggest position. 2Xideas AG's holdings in Ferguson were worth $8,843,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of FERG. Suvretta Capital Management LLC grew its position in Ferguson by 61.5% during the third quarter. Suvretta Capital Management LLC now owns 306,260 shares of the company's stock valued at $68,780,000 after purchasing an additional 116,600 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its position in Ferguson by 22.4% in the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 3,734,911 shares of the company's stock worth $838,786,000 after acquiring an additional 682,666 shares in the last quarter. NorthRock Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ferguson during the 3rd quarter worth $206,000. Perbak Capital Partners LLP acquired a new position in shares of Ferguson during the 3rd quarter worth $476,000. Finally, Chesapeake Capital Corp IL bought a new position in shares of Ferguson during the 3rd quarter valued at $491,000. 81.98% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Ferguson News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Ferguson this week:

• Neutral Sentiment: Rebecca Ferguson (actor) confirms return window for Apple TV+ series "Silo" — entertainment press about the actress, not the company. Collider: Rebecca Ferguson on Silo
• Neutral Sentiment: Multiple outlets report Rebecca Ferguson discussing "Silo" Season 3 and Dune: Part 3 details — actor/entertainment coverage, unrelated to Ferguson plc. AOL: Silo Season 3
• Neutral Sentiment: Rebecca Ferguson appears on late-night TV (Seth Meyers) — celebrity appearance, no corporate link. MSN: Seth Meyers & Rebecca Ferguson
• Neutral Sentiment: Celebrity coverage of Sarah Ferguson (Duchess of York) — various human-interest and controversy stories (public apologies, social ties, living arrangements). These are reputational/celebrity items with no corporate relevance. Yahoo: Sarah Ferguson and Epstein
• Neutral Sentiment: Stories comparing Meghan Markle to Sarah Ferguson and articles about Priscilla Presley and Sarah Ferguson — entertainment/viral coverage, not company news. MSN: Meghan Markle comparison
• Neutral Sentiment: Reports on Sarah Ferguson’s personal comments about other celebrities and alleged tensions with the royal family — tabloid/celebrity reporting, no corporate implications. MSN: Sarah Ferguson on Lisa Marie Presley
• Neutral Sentiment: Sports feature on Brighton’s Evan Ferguson (soccer) — player/club coverage, not related to Ferguson plc’s business. NYT: Evan Ferguson feature

Ferguson Stock Up 1.1%

NYSE FERG opened at $222.07 on Friday. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $248.85 and its 200 day simple moving average is $240.38. Ferguson plc has a one year low of $146.00 and a one year high of $271.64. The firm has a market cap of $43.19 billion, a PE ratio of 22.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 1.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 1.88 and a quick ratio of 1.01.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 24th. The company reported $1.99 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $2.24 by ($0.25). Ferguson had a return on equity of 40.37% and a net margin of 6.93%.During the same period last year, the business posted $1.52 earnings per share. Ferguson's revenue was up 3.6% on a year-over-year basis.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 6th will be given a $0.89 dividend. This represents a $3.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 6th. Ferguson's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 35.96%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have issued reports on FERG. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on Ferguson from $262.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "buy (b-)" rating on shares of Ferguson in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Morgan Stanley reissued an "overweight" rating on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Oppenheimer raised their price target on Ferguson from $255.00 to $280.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price objective on Ferguson from $247.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 24th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $268.93.

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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