Ferguson plc $FERG Shares Purchased by Waverton Investment Management Ltd

Waverton Investment Management Ltd increased its position in Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) by 30.8% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,465,335 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 345,165 shares during the quarter. Ferguson makes up 4.2% of Waverton Investment Management Ltd’s holdings, making the stock its 8th largest position. Waverton Investment Management Ltd owned about 0.75% of Ferguson worth $328,902,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of FERG. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the second quarter valued at approximately $395,401,000. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its stake in Ferguson by 39.3% in the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 4,255,661 shares of the company’s stock valued at $926,830,000 after acquiring an additional 1,201,493 shares during the period. First Eagle Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Ferguson during the 2nd quarter valued at $130,650,000. Egerton Capital UK LLP increased its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 16.4% in the third quarter. Egerton Capital UK LLP now owns 2,600,224 shares of the company’s stock valued at $583,958,000 after purchasing an additional 366,898 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Artisan Partners Limited Partnership raised its position in shares of Ferguson by 89.5% in the second quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership now owns 759,687 shares of the company’s stock valued at $165,422,000 after purchasing an additional 358,853 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently commented on FERG shares. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price target on shares of Ferguson from $247.00 to $271.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 24th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Ferguson from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, January 10th. Barclays lifted their price target on Ferguson from $278.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 25th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Ferguson from $280.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 25th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $262.62.

Ferguson Stock Performance

NYSE:FERG opened at $260.62 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $50.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.33, a PEG ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 1.18. Ferguson plc has a fifty-two week low of $146.00 and a fifty-two week high of $271.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a current ratio of 1.88. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $247.14 and a 200-day moving average price of $240.21.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 24th. The company reported $1.99 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.24 by ($0.25). Ferguson had a return on equity of 35.73% and a net margin of 6.28%.During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.52 earnings per share. Ferguson’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.6% on a year-over-year basis.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 6th will be given a $0.89 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 6th. This represents a $3.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.4%. Ferguson’s payout ratio is presently 35.96%.

Ferguson Company Profile

Ferguson (NYSE: FERG) is a multinational distributor specializing in plumbing and heating products and related building supplies, serving professional contractors, builders and industrial customers. The company supplies a broad range of products used in residential, commercial and infrastructure projects, including pipes and fittings, valves and controls, HVAC equipment, waterworks materials, plumbing fixtures, pumps and accessories, as well as complementary electrical and specialty product lines.

Ferguson operates a network of branches and distribution centers that provide inventory, logistics and value-added services to trade customers.