State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D Sells 7,567 Shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

Key Points

• The State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D reduced its stake in **Ferguson plc** by **10.2%**, selling **7,567 shares** and now holding **66,519 shares** valued at approximately **$10.66 million**.
• Several institutional investors increased their stakes in Ferguson, with **LGT Financial Advisors** boosting its holdings by **106.3%** during the fourth quarter.
• Ferguson recently reported quarterly earnings of **$2.50 EPS**, surpassing estimates, and announced a dividend of **$0.83 per share**, which signifies a **1.4% yield**.

State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D decreased its holdings in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG - Free Report) by 10.2% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 66,519 shares of the company's stock after selling 7,567 shares during the period. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D's holdings in Ferguson were worth $10,658,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. LGT Financial Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Ferguson by 106.3% in the fourth quarter. LGT Financial Advisors LLC now owns 198 shares of the company's stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. Grove Bank & Trust lifted 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 valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 141 shares in the last quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 56.5% in the first quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 205 shares of the company's stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 74 shares in the last quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 166.7% in the first quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 208 shares of the company's stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 130 shares in the last quarter. Finally, LRI Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Ferguson in the first quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Institutional investors own 81.98% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on FERG shares. Oppenheimer raised their target price on Ferguson from $189.00 to $235.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, June 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Ferguson from $200.00 to $220.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, June 6th. UBS Group increased their price target on Ferguson from $173.00 to $204.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 4th. Berenberg Bank reaffirmed a "hold" rating and set a $215.00 price target on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Thursday, June 5th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target on Ferguson from $189.00 to $231.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 4th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $220.64.

Ferguson Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ FERG opened at $231.71 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $45.69 billion, a PE ratio of 27.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.16. Ferguson plc has a fifty-two week low of $146.00 and a fifty-two week high of $232.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 1.68. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $220.99 and a 200-day moving average of $189.48.

Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, June 3rd. The company reported $2.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.06 by $0.44. Ferguson had a return on equity of 34.63% and a net margin of 5.68%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 4.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.32 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Ferguson plc will post 9.4 earnings per share for the current year.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The firm 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 20th. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. Ferguson's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 41.40%.

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.

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