Nykredit A S Buys Shares of 49,811 Ferguson plc $FERG

Nykredit A S bought a new stake in Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 49,811 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,825,000.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of FERG. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 23.9% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 15,262 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,445,000 after purchasing an additional 2,940 shares during the period. Caxton Associates LLP purchased a new stake in Ferguson in the first quarter worth $310,000. Focus Partners Wealth increased its position in Ferguson by 22.7% in the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 3,140 shares of the company’s stock worth $503,000 after buying an additional 581 shares during the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the second quarter valued at $257,000. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its position in shares of Ferguson by 7.5% during the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 690 shares of the company’s stock valued at $150,000 after buying an additional 48 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Price Performance

Shares of NYSE FERG opened at $228.53 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a current ratio of 1.73. Ferguson plc has a fifty-two week low of $207.64 and a fifty-two week high of $271.64. The stock has a market cap of $44.21 billion, a PE ratio of 26.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.13. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $235.52 and a 200-day moving average of $238.23.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 10th. The company reported $3.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.23 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $8.75 billion for the quarter. Ferguson had a return on equity of 37.24% and a net margin of 6.82%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Ferguson plc will post 11.42 earnings per share for the current year.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 7th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 21st will be given a $0.89 dividend. This represents a $3.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 21st. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 41.83%.

Insider Activity at Ferguson

In related news, insider Jake Schlicher sold 5,177 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $230.92, for a total transaction of $1,195,472.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 9,490 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,191,430.80. The trade was a 35.30% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.15% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on FERG shares. Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on Ferguson from $285.00 to $288.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 11th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $295.00 price objective on shares of Ferguson in a report on Thursday. Zelman & Associates upgraded shares of Ferguson from a “hold” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $285.00 target price for the company in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Ferguson from $297.00 to $313.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Ferguson from $252.00 to $256.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and five 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 target price of $285.57.

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.