Moody Lynn & Lieberson LLC Raises Holdings in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

Moody Lynn & Lieberson LLC raised its position in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG - Free Report) by 85.6% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 45,374 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 20,926 shares during the period. Moody Lynn & Lieberson LLC's holdings in Ferguson were worth $7,270,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Grove Bank & Trust raised its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 247.4% in the first quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 198 shares of the company's stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 141 shares during the period. Whipplewood Advisors LLC lifted 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 worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 130 shares during the last quarter. LGT Financial Advisors LLC lifted 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 worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares during the last quarter. Private Trust Co. NA boosted its stake in shares of Ferguson by 92.5% during the fourth quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 258 shares of the company's stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 124 shares during the period. Finally, MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB grew its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 259.3% in the first quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 291 shares of the company's stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 210 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.98% of the company's stock.

Ferguson Stock Up 0.8%

Shares of NASDAQ FERG traded up $1.76 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $223.16. 1,075,399 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,676,862. Ferguson plc has a 1 year low of $146.00 and a 1 year high of $225.63. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $194.54 and a 200 day moving average of $179.35. The stock has a market cap of $44.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.79, a P/E/G ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.17. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83.

Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, June 3rd. The company reported $2.50 EPS for the quarter, beating 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%. Ferguson's quarterly revenue was up 4.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.32 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that Ferguson plc will post 9.4 earnings per share for the current year.

Ferguson Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 20th will be issued a dividend of $0.83 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 20th. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.49%. Ferguson's dividend payout ratio is presently 41.40%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

FERG has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Ferguson from $190.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 4th. Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of Ferguson from $189.00 to $168.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 12th. Berenberg Bank reaffirmed a "hold" rating and set a $215.00 price target on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Thursday, June 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on Ferguson in a research note on Wednesday, June 18th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $280.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an "overweight" rating and set a $220.00 price objective (up from $195.00) on shares of Ferguson in a report on Monday, June 9th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Ferguson has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $221.27.

Ferguson 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.