Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) Shares Acquired by James Hambro & Partners LLP

James Hambro & Partners LLP lifted its stake in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) by 1.1% during the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 6,311 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 70 shares during the period. James Hambro & Partners LLP’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $1,011,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in Ferguson by 7.3% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 778,737 shares of the company’s stock worth $135,247,000 after buying an additional 52,776 shares in the last quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Ferguson during the fourth quarter valued at $587,000. Markel Group Inc. boosted its position in Ferguson by 25.4% during the fourth quarter. Markel Group Inc. now owns 106,000 shares of the company’s stock valued at $18,398,000 after purchasing an additional 21,500 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in Ferguson by 19,616.0% during the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 573,143 shares of the company’s stock valued at $91,835,000 after buying an additional 570,236 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AMF Tjanstepension AB raised its holdings in Ferguson by 420.4% during the fourth quarter. AMF Tjanstepension AB now owns 66,125 shares of the company’s stock valued at $11,477,000 after buying an additional 53,419 shares in the last quarter. 81.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Ferguson Stock Down 0.6%

Shares of FERG opened at $212.34 on Friday. Ferguson plc has a 12 month low of $146.00 and a 12 month high of $225.63. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $179.35 and its 200-day moving average is $178.15. The stock has a market capitalization of $41.87 billion, a PE ratio of 25.49, a P/E/G ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83.

Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, June 3rd. The company reported $2.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.06 by $0.44. Ferguson had a net margin of 5.68% and a return on equity of 34.63%. Ferguson’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.32 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Ferguson plc will post 9.4 EPS for the current year.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 20th will be given a $0.83 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 20th. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.56%. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio is currently 41.40%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on FERG shares. Citigroup decreased their target price on Ferguson from $189.00 to $168.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 12th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on Ferguson from $189.00 to $231.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, June 4th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Ferguson from $173.00 to $204.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, June 4th. Truist Financial reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $230.00 price objective on shares of Ferguson in a report on Wednesday, June 4th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $220.00 price objective (up from $195.00) on shares of Ferguson in a report on Monday, June 9th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $217.07.

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.