KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS Cuts Stock Holdings in Ferguson plc $FERG

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS reduced its position in shares of Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) by 23.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 72,144 shares of the company’s stock after selling 22,600 shares during the period. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $16,061,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in FERG. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division purchased a new position in Ferguson during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new position in Ferguson during the third quarter worth about $28,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC raised its holdings in Ferguson by 178.3% during the third quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 128 shares of the company’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Grove Bank & Trust raised its holdings in Ferguson by 154.4% during the fourth quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 145 shares of the company’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Johnson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in Ferguson in the third quarter valued at about $34,000. 81.98% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Ferguson Trading Up 0.5%

Shares of Ferguson stock opened at $263.32 on Friday. Ferguson plc has a 12-month low of $162.53 and a 12-month high of $271.64. The company has a current ratio of 1.88, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The stock has a market cap of $51.19 billion, a PE ratio of 26.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a 50-day moving average of $243.73 and a two-hundred day moving average of $242.74.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 24th. The company reported $1.99 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.24 by ($0.25). Ferguson had a return on equity of 40.37% and a net margin of 6.93%.During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.52 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that Ferguson plc will post 11.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

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

Key Stories Impacting Ferguson

Here are the key news stories impacting Ferguson this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Barron’s publishes a bullish take arguing Ferguson is still “too cheap,” estimating roughly 25% upside over the next 12–18 months; this can attract buyers and support upside given Ferguson’s strong market position and steady cash flows. This Plumbing Supplier’s Stock Is Still Too Cheap
• Neutral Sentiment: Most other headlines in the list refer to people, places or local government matters named “Ferguson” (city council tax-break votes, political stories, entertainment pieces) and are not related to Ferguson plc’s business fundamentals—these are noise for FERG equity. Examples: Baltimore Sun (local political controversy), Fox2Now (city council data-center tax breaks), IBTimes (personal finance story about Sarah Ferguson). Ferguson criticizes Baltimore IG apology in post controversy; Conway raises concerns Ferguson City Council to vote on tax breaks for possible data center Is Sarah Ferguson Broke?
• Negative Sentiment: Recent company results (Feb. quarter) showed an EPS miss versus consensus and only modest revenue growth; that earnings disappointment remains a near-term risk to sentiment and could cap gains if future beats don’t materialize. (See company filings and prior earnings release.)

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have issued reports on FERG. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Ferguson in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of Ferguson in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Ferguson from $278.00 to $295.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 25th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $300.00 target price on shares of Ferguson in a report on Tuesday, February 24th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised shares of Ferguson from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Monday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Ferguson currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $267.27.

Ferguson 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.