Jefferies Financial Group Inc. Trims Holdings in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. reduced its holdings in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG - Free Report) by 80.7% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,650 shares of the company's stock after selling 11,091 shares during the quarter. Jefferies Financial Group Inc.'s holdings in Ferguson were worth $460,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of FERG. Manchester Capital Management LLC lifted its position 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 last quarter. LGT Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of 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 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 about $35,000. R Squared Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the 4th quarter worth approximately $45,000. Finally, Private Trust Co. NA raised its holdings in Ferguson by 92.5% in the 4th quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 258 shares of the company's stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 124 shares in the last quarter. 81.98% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Ferguson Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ FERG traded down $1.08 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $182.12. The stock had a trading volume of 767,463 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,613,802. The company has a market capitalization of $36.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.14. Ferguson plc has a 12-month low of $146.00 and a 12-month high of $225.63. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $165.68 and a 200-day moving average of $179.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 1.68.

Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data 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). The company 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 company's quarterly revenue was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.74 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Ferguson plc will post 9.4 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have weighed in on FERG shares. Robert W. Baird set a $190.00 price objective on Ferguson and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 12th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $189.00 price objective on shares of Ferguson in a report on Tuesday, March 18th. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Ferguson from $211.00 to $190.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 12th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on Ferguson in a report on Tuesday, April 1st. They issued a "hold" rating and a $174.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Oppenheimer lowered their price objective on Ferguson from $234.00 to $189.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 12th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus 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.