Merit Financial Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG - Free Report) by 160.2% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 4,244 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 2,613 shares during the period. Merit Financial Group LLC's holdings in Ferguson were worth $680,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC boosted its holdings in Ferguson by 6.5% in the fourth quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 1,214 shares of the company's stock valued at $211,000 after acquiring an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. now owns 6,390 shares of the company's stock worth $1,109,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the period. Assetmark Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Ferguson by 41.1% in the 4th quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 333 shares of the company's stock valued at $58,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. LGT Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 106.3% during the 4th quarter. LGT Financial Advisors LLC now owns 198 shares of the company's stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares during the period. Finally, Inspire Advisors LLC increased its position in Ferguson by 3.7% during the 4th quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC now owns 3,001 shares of the company's stock worth $521,000 after purchasing an additional 108 shares in the last quarter. 81.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Ferguson Stock Performance
Ferguson stock traded down $1.39 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $212.34. The company's stock had a trading volume of 945,443 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,655,413. 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 plc has a twelve month low of $146.00 and a twelve month high of $225.63. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $178.06 and a 200-day moving average price of $178.39. The firm has a market cap of $41.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.49, a PEG ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.13.
Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, June 3rd. The company reported $2.50 EPS for the quarter, topping 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%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 4.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.32 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Ferguson plc will post 9.4 EPS for the current fiscal year.
Ferguson Dividend Announcement
The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 20th will be paid a dividend of $0.83 per share. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.56%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 20th. Ferguson's payout ratio is currently 41.40%.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
FERG has been the subject of several analyst reports. UBS Group upped their target price on Ferguson from $173.00 to $204.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 4th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on Ferguson from $189.00 to $231.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 4th. Wolfe Research began coverage on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Monday, March 17th. They issued a "peer perform" rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of Ferguson from $200.00 to $220.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, June 6th. Finally, Truist Financial reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $230.00 price target on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Wednesday, June 4th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Ferguson currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $217.07.
Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Ferguson
About Ferguson
(
Free Report)
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.
Read More
Before you consider Ferguson, you'll want to hear this.
MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Ferguson wasn't on the list.
While Ferguson currently has a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.
View The Five Stocks Here
Market downturns give many investors pause, and for good reason. Wondering how to offset this risk? Enter your email address to learn more about using beta to protect your portfolio.
Get This Free Report
Like this article? Share it with a colleague.
Link copied to clipboard.
