Groupe la Francaise Increases Position in Ferguson plc $FERG

Key Points

• Groupe la Francaise increased its holdings in Ferguson plc by 19.6%, now owning 19,615 shares worth approximately $3.2 million.
• Ferguson reported earnings per share of $2.50 for its last quarterly report, exceeding analysts' expectations and marking a 4.3% revenue increase year-over-year.
• Multiple analysts have raised their price targets for Ferguson, with the average target now at $220.64, reflecting a positive outlook on the stock.

Groupe la Francaise raised its holdings in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG - Free Report) by 19.6% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 19,615 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 3,211 shares during the period. Groupe la Francaise's holdings in Ferguson were worth $3,197,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. LGT Financial Advisors LLC boosted 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. Grove Bank & Trust boosted its position in shares of Ferguson by 247.4% during the first quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 198 shares of the company's stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 141 shares during the period. TD Private Client Wealth LLC boosted 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. Whipplewood Advisors LLC boosted 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. Finally, Brooklyn Investment Group boosted its position in shares of Ferguson by 103.6% during the first quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 226 shares of the company's stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 115 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.98% of the company's stock.

Ferguson Stock Up 1.8%

NASDAQ:FERG opened at $233.2480 on Friday. Ferguson plc has a 1-year low of $146.00 and a 1-year high of $238.16. The company has a 50-day moving average of $222.72 and a 200 day moving average of $191.20. The firm has a market cap of $45.99 billion, a PE ratio of 28.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 0.91.

Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, June 3rd. The company reported $2.50 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates 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% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.32 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Ferguson plc will post 9.4 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 6th. Investors of record on Friday, June 20th were paid a dividend of $0.83 per share. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 20th. Ferguson's dividend payout ratio is 41.40%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

FERG has been the subject of several research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $189.00 to $231.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 4th. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $190.00 to $247.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 4th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $230.00 to $250.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $200.00 to $220.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, June 6th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reissued an "overweight" rating and issued a $220.00 price objective (up from $195.00) on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Monday, June 9th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $220.64.

Ferguson Company Profile

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.

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