Ferguson plc $FERG Shares Acquired by Neuberger Berman Group LLC

Key Points

• Neuberger Berman boosted its stake in Ferguson by 39.3% to 21,066 shares (≈$4.73M), and other institutions (notably Allianz, now holding 322,924 shares worth ≈$72.5M) have also increased positions, leaving institutional ownership at about 81.98%.
• Q3 earnings missed: Ferguson reported EPS of $1.99 vs. a $2.24 consensus (a $0.25 shortfall), which — despite a ~35.7% ROE and 3.6% revenue growth — has pressured the stock (down ~3.9% and trading below its 50- and 200-day moving averages).
• Analysts remain generally positive with a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a $262.62 average price target, while the company announced a $0.89 quarterly dividend (annualized $3.56, ~1.5% yield; ex-dividend March 6).

Neuberger Berman Group LLC boosted its stake in Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG - Free Report) by 39.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 21,066 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 5,944 shares during the period. Neuberger Berman Group LLC's holdings in Ferguson were worth $4,729,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of FERG. Atria Investments Inc lifted its holdings in Ferguson by 38.2% in the third quarter. Atria Investments Inc now owns 15,401 shares of the company's stock worth $3,459,000 after purchasing an additional 4,259 shares during the period. Rakuten Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in Ferguson during the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,002,000. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd raised its position in shares of Ferguson by 11.7% during the 3rd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 20,523 shares of the company's stock worth $4,609,000 after buying an additional 2,145 shares in the last quarter. iA Global Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,252,000. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH boosted its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 21.0% in the third quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 322,924 shares of the company's stock valued at $72,522,000 after acquiring an additional 55,981 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.98% of the company's stock.

Key Stories Impacting Ferguson

Here are the key news stories impacting Ferguson this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks upgraded Ferguson to a Rank #2 (Buy), citing improved earnings prospects — a near-term positive catalyst that could attract buyers and support the stock. All You Need to Know About Ferguson plc (FERG) Rating Upgrade to Buy
• Neutral Sentiment: Multiple high-profile media stories reference “Ferguson” (largely about Sarah, Duchess of York) — these unrelated headlines can create name-driven search and social media noise but are not company-specific fundamentals. Example coverage: 'Loose Cannon' Sarah Ferguson Could Expose Royal Family Secrets, Experts Warn and How Sarah Ferguson's $475K Divorce Payout Made Her 'Desperate for Money'
• Negative Sentiment: Ferguson reported Q3 EPS of $1.99 on 2/24, missing the consensus of $2.24 (a $0.25 shortfall). That earnings miss is the primary driver of downward pressure — despite solid return on equity (~35.7%) and positive margin trends, the EPS miss and the stock trading below its 50- and 200-day moving averages have prompted selling. (Company results referenced from recent earnings release.)

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley reiterated an "overweight" rating on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. UBS Group increased their price target on Ferguson from $220.00 to $252.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 25th. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on Ferguson from $262.00 to $265.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. 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 note on Tuesday, February 24th. Finally, Barclays upped their price objective on Ferguson from $278.00 to $295.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 25th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $262.62.

Ferguson Stock Down 3.9%

FERG stock opened at $230.52 on Friday. Ferguson plc has a 12 month low of $146.00 and a 12 month high of $271.64. The firm has a market cap of $44.84 billion, a PE ratio of 23.28, a P/E/G ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.17. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $248.66 and a 200 day simple moving average of $240.62. 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 results on Tuesday, February 24th. The company reported $1.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.24 by ($0.25). Ferguson had a return on equity of 35.73% and a net margin of 6.28%.The firm's revenue was up 3.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.52 earnings per share.

Ferguson Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Investors of record on Friday, March 6th will be issued a $0.89 dividend. This represents a $3.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.5%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 6th. Ferguson's payout ratio is presently 35.96%.

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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