Phraction Management LLC Trims Stake in Ferguson plc $FERG

Phraction Management LLC reduced its position in Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) by 12.7% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 18,435 shares of the company’s stock after selling 2,675 shares during the quarter. Ferguson accounts for about 1.1% of Phraction Management LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 27th largest holding. Phraction Management LLC’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $4,104,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of FERG. Durable Capital Partners LP purchased a new position in shares of Ferguson in the 3rd quarter worth about $244,561,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd boosted its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 588.1% in the 3rd quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 1,087,523 shares of the company’s stock worth $244,236,000 after purchasing an additional 929,475 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 22.4% in the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 3,734,911 shares of the company’s stock worth $838,786,000 after purchasing an additional 682,666 shares in the last quarter. 59 North Capital Management LP boosted its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 114.7% in the 3rd quarter. 59 North Capital Management LP now owns 1,255,137 shares of the company’s stock worth $281,879,000 after purchasing an additional 670,473 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Voloridge Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in Ferguson by 502.8% during the 3rd quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC now owns 765,725 shares of the company’s stock valued at $171,967,000 after acquiring an additional 638,692 shares during the period. 81.98% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

FERG has been the subject of several analyst reports. Weiss Ratings cut Ferguson from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Friday, March 27th. Wall Street Zen lowered Ferguson from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, January 10th. Truist Financial upped their price target on Ferguson from $260.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. UBS Group upped their price target on Ferguson from $220.00 to $252.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on Ferguson from $278.00 to $295.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $267.27.

Ferguson Stock Performance

Ferguson stock opened at $260.72 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 1.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The company has a market capitalization of $50.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.34, a PEG ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 1.21. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $243.80 and its 200 day moving average is $241.78. Ferguson plc has a twelve month low of $158.68 and a twelve month high of $271.64.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 24th. The company reported $1.99 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.24 by ($0.25). Ferguson had a net margin of 6.93% and a return on equity of 40.37%. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.52 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.6% on a year-over-year basis.

Ferguson Dividend Announcement

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

Key Ferguson News

Here are the key news stories impacting Ferguson this week:

• Neutral Sentiment: Multiple outlets report Sarah Ferguson was photographed at an Austrian ski resort after months out of the public eye, emphasizing a low profile amid recent controversy. MSN: Sarah Ferguson Surfaces
• Neutral Sentiment: Report that Sarah Ferguson is considering a major TV project that critics say could be damaging to the royal family narrative. AOL: TV Move
• Neutral Sentiment: Several outlets (Yahoo, Page Six, Jang, RadarOnline) repeat sightings and sheltering details — variations of the same “spotted after months” story. Yahoo: Spotted in Austria
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage linking her absence to fallout from an Epstein-related exposé and broader scrutiny; some outlets quote insiders on secrecy and tension with ex-Prince Andrew. Yahoo: Epstein Exposé Context
• Neutral Sentiment: Video/analysis pieces describe a “combative” dynamic between Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew, painting both as secretive and paranoid. Yahoo Video: Combative Clashes
• Neutral Sentiment: Reports detail costs and measures Ferguson is allegedly using to keep a low public profile. Yahoo: Costs to Stay Hidden
• Neutral Sentiment: Follow-ups note she’s participating in a book project but sources say it’s not a tell-all memoir. Yahoo: Book Participation
• Neutral Sentiment: Exclusive claims she wrote a foreword for a book by a holistic healer with whom she’s been associated while relocating. RadarOnline: Book Foreword
• Neutral Sentiment: Page Six and other tabloids reiterate the sighting and tie it to the Epstein scandal narrative. Page Six: Spotted After Disappearing
• Neutral Sentiment: Regional outlet coverage (Jang) echoes international reports of her “breaking cover” after months away. Jang: Breaks Cover

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.