Two Sigma Advisers LP Has $9.79 Million Stock Holdings in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

Two Sigma Advisers LP cut its position in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG - Free Report) by 66.0% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 56,400 shares of the company's stock after selling 109,684 shares during the quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP's holdings in Ferguson were worth $9,789,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Manchester Capital Management LLC grew its position in Ferguson by 906.7% during the fourth quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 151 shares of the company's stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. LGT Financial Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Ferguson by 106.3% during the fourth quarter. LGT Financial Advisors LLC now owns 198 shares of the company's stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. Berbice Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Ferguson during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Private Trust Co. NA boosted its holdings in 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 in the last quarter. Finally, R Squared Ltd bought a new position in shares of Ferguson in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $45,000. 81.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ferguson Trading Down 0.5%

NASDAQ FERG traded down $0.85 on Wednesday, reaching $182.05. The company had a trading volume of 251,197 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,822,380. Ferguson plc has a 52 week low of $146.00 and a 52 week high of $225.63. The stock's 50 day moving average is $167.90 and its 200-day moving average is $178.38. The stock has a market cap of $36.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.86, a PEG ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.14. 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 announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 11th. The company reported $1.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.58 by ($0.06). Ferguson had a return on equity of 34.63% and a net margin of 5.68%. The business had revenue of $6.87 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.76 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.74 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that Ferguson plc will post 9.4 earnings per share for the current year.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 21st were given a dividend of $0.83 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 21st. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.82%. Ferguson's dividend payout ratio is currently 40.84%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have issued reports on FERG shares. Oppenheimer cut their price objective on Ferguson from $234.00 to $189.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, March 12th. Citigroup reduced their price objective on Ferguson from $189.00 to $168.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 12th. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on Ferguson in a research note on Monday, March 17th. They issued a "peer perform" rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Ferguson from $180.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, April 14th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on Ferguson in a research note on Tuesday, April 1st. They issued a "hold" rating and a $174.00 price objective on the stock. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $200.15.

Ferguson Company 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.