Moody Lynn & Lieberson LLC Raises Stock Holdings in Ferguson plc $FERG

Key Points

• Moody Lynn & Lieberson LLC increased its stake in Ferguson by 30.7% in Q4 to 74,780 shares, valued at about $16.65 million and representing 0.9% of the firm's portfolio (its 29th largest holding).
• Significant institutional activity from firms like Wellington, Qube and Durable Capital has left hedge funds and other institutions owning 81.98% of Ferguson's stock, reflecting strong institutional interest.
• Ferguson missed Q4 EPS ($1.99 vs. $2.24 est.) despite 3.6% revenue growth, pays a $0.89 quarterly dividend (annualized $3.56, ~1.5% yield), and analysts have raised price targets (average target ~$268.93 with multiple buy/overweight ratings).

Moody Lynn & Lieberson LLC boosted its position in Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG - Free Report) by 30.7% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 74,780 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 17,570 shares during the quarter. Ferguson makes up 0.9% of Moody Lynn & Lieberson LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 29th biggest position. Moody Lynn & Lieberson LLC's holdings in Ferguson were worth $16,648,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in FERG. Durable Capital Partners LP purchased a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the 3rd quarter worth about $244,561,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd increased its stake in shares of Ferguson by 588.1% in the 3rd quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 1,087,523 shares of the company's stock worth $244,236,000 after acquiring an additional 929,475 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its position in Ferguson by 22.4% during the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 3,734,911 shares of the company's stock valued at $838,786,000 after acquiring an additional 682,666 shares during the period. 59 North Capital Management LP lifted its position in Ferguson by 114.7% during the 3rd quarter. 59 North Capital Management LP now owns 1,255,137 shares of the company's stock valued at $281,879,000 after acquiring an additional 670,473 shares during the period. Finally, Voloridge Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in Ferguson by 502.8% during the third quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC now owns 765,725 shares of the company's stock worth $171,967,000 after acquiring an additional 638,692 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.98% of the company's stock.

Ferguson Stock Performance

Shares of FERG stock opened at $233.39 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $45.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 1.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a current ratio of 1.88. Ferguson plc has a one year low of $146.00 and a one year high of $271.64. The company's 50-day moving average is $245.31 and its 200 day moving average is $239.97.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG - Get Free Report) last issued its 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 40.37% and a net margin of 6.93%.The firm's revenue was up 3.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.52 earnings per share.

Ferguson Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed 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 yield of 1.5%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 6th. Ferguson's payout ratio is presently 35.96%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

FERG has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Truist Financial upped their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $260.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 25th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Ferguson from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, January 10th. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on Ferguson from $262.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Barclays upped their price target on Ferguson from $278.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 25th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed an "outperform" rating on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price 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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