Wesleyan Assurance Society Cuts Stake in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

Wesleyan Assurance Society trimmed its position in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG - Free Report) by 1.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 501,520 shares of the company's stock after selling 8,084 shares during the period. Ferguson comprises 6.7% of Wesleyan Assurance Society's portfolio, making the stock its 2nd largest position. Wesleyan Assurance Society owned 0.25% of Ferguson worth $87,004,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of FERG. Manchester Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Ferguson by 906.7% in the 4th quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 151 shares of the company's stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 136 shares during the period. LGT Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of 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 buying an additional 102 shares during the period. Berbice Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Ferguson during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Private Trust Co. NA boosted its holdings in Ferguson by 92.5% in the fourth quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 258 shares of the company's stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 124 shares in the last quarter. Finally, R Squared Ltd bought a new stake in Ferguson in the fourth quarter valued at $45,000. 81.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Ferguson Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:FERG opened at $183.34 on Tuesday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $165.68 and a 200-day moving average price of $179.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 0.91. The company has a market capitalization of $36.66 billion, a PE ratio of 22.01, a PEG ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.14. Ferguson plc has a 1-year low of $146.00 and a 1-year high of $225.63.

Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 11th. The company reported $1.52 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.58 by ($0.06). The firm had revenue of $6.87 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.76 billion. Ferguson had a net margin of 5.68% and a return on equity of 34.63%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.74 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts expect that Ferguson plc will post 9.4 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 6th. Investors of record on Friday, March 21st were issued a $0.83 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 21st. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.81%. Ferguson's payout ratio is currently 40.84%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $189.00 target price on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Tuesday, March 18th. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $211.00 to $190.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 12th. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Ferguson in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $204.00 target price for the company. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on Ferguson in a research note on Monday, March 17th. They issued a "peer perform" rating on the stock. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $190.00 price objective on Ferguson and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, March 12th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Ferguson has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $199.38.

About Ferguson

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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