QRG Capital Management Inc. Purchases 4,694 Shares of Ferguson plc $FERG

Key Points

• QRG Capital Management Inc. boosted its Ferguson stake by 36.1%, buying 4,694 shares to hold 17,714 shares valued at about $3.94 million, and institutional investors now own roughly 81.98% of the stock.
• Ferguson’s board approved a $2.0 billion share repurchase program (~3.9% of shares) and the company reported Q1 results that beat estimates (EPS $2.28 vs. $2.14; revenue $7.47B), while analysts including Wells Fargo raised price targets and upgraded the stock.
• FERG trades near $252 with a market cap of about $49.0 billion, a P/E of ~25.5, a quarterly dividend of $0.89 (1.4% yield), and a 12‑month range of $166.04–$271.64.

QRG Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG - Free Report) by 36.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 17,714 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 4,694 shares during the quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc.'s holdings in Ferguson were worth $3,944,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Partners in Financial Planning raised its stake in shares of Ferguson by 1.6% in the fourth quarter. Partners in Financial Planning now owns 5,033 shares of the company's stock worth $1,120,000 after purchasing an additional 79 shares during the last quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. boosted its position in shares of Ferguson by 224.7% during the fourth quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 5,718 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,273,000 after buying an additional 3,957 shares during the last quarter. Strs Ohio increased its holdings in Ferguson by 322.7% in the 4th quarter. Strs Ohio now owns 19,576 shares of the company's stock worth $4,358,000 after buying an additional 14,945 shares in the last quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC increased its holdings in Ferguson by 53.9% in the 4th quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 197 shares of the company's stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 69 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Kornitzer Capital Management Inc. KS raised its position in Ferguson by 150.9% in the 4th quarter. Kornitzer Capital Management Inc. KS now owns 15,806 shares of the company's stock worth $3,519,000 after buying an additional 9,506 shares during the last quarter. 81.98% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Ferguson News

Here are the key news stories impacting Ferguson this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Wells Fargo raised its price target to $285 and upgraded Ferguson to "overweight," implying ~13% upside from current levels — a supportive analyst signal for momentum. Wells Fargo raises price target
• Positive Sentiment: Board approved a $2.0 billion share repurchase program (up to ~3.9% of shares outstanding), a strong capital-return move that typically supports share price and signals management confidence. Ferguson approves $2B buyback
• Positive Sentiment: Q1 results topped estimates: EPS $2.28 vs. consensus $2.14, revenue $7.47B (+3.6% YoY). Management highlighted non-residential strength and cash generation that funds growth and buybacks. These operational beats are a primary reason investors are bullish. Ferguson reports Q1 results
• Positive Sentiment: Ferguson formed a strategic alliance with Contractor Commerce to help contractor customers modernize e‑commerce and drive digital sales — incremental revenue/retention opportunity over time. Strategic alliance with Contractor Commerce
• Neutral Sentiment: Ferguson filed its Form 10‑Q (Q1) and an 8‑K; routine SEC filings that provide detail but don’t fundamentally change the story. Investors should read the 10‑Q for any updates to guidance or one‑time items. Ferguson files Form 10-Q
• Neutral Sentiment: Management/insider share vesting disclosures were filed (restricted stock units vested for directors/PDMRs) — standard reporting that can modestly increase tradable float if shares are sold. Director/PDMR shareholding notice
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst coverage remains broadly constructive (average rating around "Moderate Buy"), which supports medium‑term investor sentiment but is not a catalyst by itself. Brokerage coverage summary
• Neutral Sentiment: Local municipal headlines (Ferguson city council rejecting a tax abatement/data‑center proposal) are likely unrelated to Ferguson plc’s operations and are not expected to materially affect the stock. City council rejects tax abatement

Ferguson Stock Performance

FERG opened at $252.13 on Thursday. The company's 50 day moving average is $243.90 and its 200 day moving average is $244.02. The company has a current ratio of 1.88, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The company has a market cap of $49.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.47, a PEG ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.23. Ferguson plc has a 12-month low of $166.04 and a 12-month high of $271.64.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, May 5th. The company reported $2.28 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.14 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $7.47 billion during the quarter. Ferguson had a net margin of 6.98% and a return on equity of 38.92%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 3.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.50 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that Ferguson plc will post 11.2 EPS for the current year.

Ferguson announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase program on Tuesday, May 5th that authorizes the company to repurchase $2.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to buy up to 3.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are usually an indication that the company's leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Ferguson Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 8th. Investors of record on Friday, May 15th will be issued a $0.89 dividend. This represents a $3.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 15th. Ferguson's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 35.96%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have issued reports on FERG shares. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Ferguson from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, January 10th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $260.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday. Sanford C. Bernstein restated an "outperform" rating on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a $300.00 target price on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Tuesday, February 24th. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Ferguson from $278.00 to $295.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 25th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $269.60.

About Ferguson

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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