Triavera Capital LLC Buys 5,170 Shares of Ferguson plc $FERG

Triavera Capital LLC boosted its stake in Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) by 13.8% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 42,667 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 5,170 shares during the quarter. Ferguson comprises about 4.7% of Triavera Capital LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 14th biggest position. Triavera Capital LLC’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $9,582,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of FERG. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 178.3% during the third quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 128 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares during the period. True Wealth Design LLC boosted its position in shares of Ferguson by 145.3% during the 2nd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 130 shares of the company’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 77 shares in the last quarter. Quent Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the 3rd quarter valued at about $43,000. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB increased its position in Ferguson by 21.7% in the 3rd quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 292 shares of the company’s stock valued at $66,000 after buying an additional 52 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CX Institutional increased its position in Ferguson by 9,900.0% in the 3rd quarter. CX Institutional now owns 300 shares of the company’s stock valued at $67,000 after buying an additional 297 shares in the last quarter. 81.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Ferguson Price Performance

Shares of NYSE FERG opened at $230.52 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $44.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.28, a PEG ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 1.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a current ratio of 1.88. Ferguson plc has a fifty-two week low of $146.00 and a fifty-two week high of $271.64. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $248.66 and its 200 day simple moving average is $240.56.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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%.The company’s revenue was up 3.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.52 EPS.

Ferguson Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Investors of record on Friday, March 6th will be issued a dividend of $0.89 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 6th. This represents a $3.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.5%. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio is 35.96%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on FERG shares. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price target on Ferguson from $247.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 24th. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Ferguson in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on Ferguson from $237.00 to $246.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, December 11th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Ferguson from $220.00 to $252.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $262.62.

Key Ferguson News

Here are the key news stories impacting Ferguson this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks upgraded Ferguson to a Rank #2 (Buy), citing improved earnings prospects — a near-term positive catalyst that could attract buyers and support the stock. All You Need to Know About Ferguson plc (FERG) Rating Upgrade to Buy
• Neutral Sentiment: Multiple high-profile media stories reference “Ferguson” (largely about Sarah, Duchess of York) — these unrelated headlines can create name-driven search and social media noise but are not company-specific fundamentals. Example coverage: ‘Loose Cannon’ Sarah Ferguson Could Expose Royal Family Secrets, Experts Warn and How Sarah Ferguson’s $475K Divorce Payout Made Her ‘Desperate for Money’
• Negative Sentiment: Ferguson reported Q3 EPS of $1.99 on 2/24, missing the consensus of $2.24 (a $0.25 shortfall). That earnings miss is the primary driver of downward pressure — despite solid return on equity (~35.7%) and positive margin trends, the EPS miss and the stock trading below its 50- and 200-day moving averages have prompted selling. (Company results referenced from recent earnings release.)

About Ferguson

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.