Algert Global LLC Acquires 335 Shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

Algert Global LLC lifted its holdings in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) by 5.3% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 6,623 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 335 shares during the period. Algert Global LLC’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $1,150,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. acquired a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $49,267,000. Armor Advisors L.L.C. bought a new stake in Ferguson during the fourth quarter worth $10,345,000. 59 North Capital Management LP lifted its stake in Ferguson by 35.5% in the fourth quarter. 59 North Capital Management LP now owns 824,470 shares of the company’s stock valued at $143,103,000 after acquiring an additional 215,899 shares during the last quarter. Wahed Invest LLC grew its position in shares of Ferguson by 2.3% in the 4th quarter. Wahed Invest LLC now owns 5,022 shares of the company’s stock valued at $872,000 after acquiring an additional 111 shares during the period. Finally, LGT Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Ferguson by 106.3% during the 4th quarter. LGT Financial Advisors LLC now owns 198 shares of the company’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Trading Up 0.1 %

FERG opened at $171.24 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $34.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.56, a P/E/G ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. Ferguson plc has a twelve month low of $146.00 and a twelve month high of $225.63. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $163.79 and a 200 day simple moving average of $180.11.

Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG) last posted its quarterly earnings results 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). Ferguson had a return on equity of 34.63% and a net margin of 5.68%. The firm had revenue of $6.87 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.76 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.74 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Ferguson plc will post 9.4 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Ferguson Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 6th. Investors of record on Friday, March 21st were given a dividend of $0.83 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 21st. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.94%. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio is currently 40.84%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of Ferguson from $180.00 to $190.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, April 14th. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on Ferguson in a research report on Monday, March 17th. They issued a “peer perform” rating for the company. Citigroup decreased their target price on Ferguson from $189.00 to $168.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 12th. Oppenheimer cut their price target on Ferguson from $234.00 to $189.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 12th. Finally, Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Ferguson in a report on Monday, February 3rd. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $204.00 price objective on the stock. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price 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.