Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC Has $4.39 Million Stock Holdings in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC raised its position in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) by 3.0% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 22,931 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 674 shares during the quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $4,391,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BayBridge Capital Group LLC grew its holdings in Ferguson by 2.0% in the 1st quarter. BayBridge Capital Group LLC now owns 2,373 shares of the company’s stock valued at $494,000 after buying an additional 47 shares in the last quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Ferguson by 3.0% in the 1st quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,663 shares of the company’s stock valued at $363,000 after buying an additional 48 shares in the last quarter. OneAscent Financial Services LLC grew its holdings in Ferguson by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. OneAscent Financial Services LLC now owns 2,584 shares of the company’s stock valued at $565,000 after buying an additional 49 shares in the last quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Ferguson by 3.6% in the 1st quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,568 shares of the company’s stock valued at $342,000 after buying an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 1.8% during the 1st quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. now owns 3,142 shares of the company’s stock worth $686,000 after purchasing an additional 57 shares in the last quarter. 81.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ferguson Price Performance

Shares of FERG stock opened at $205.52 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. Ferguson plc has a twelve month low of $147.62 and a twelve month high of $225.63. The company has a market cap of $41.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.46, a P/E/G ratio of 6.13 and a beta of 1.21. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $204.35 and a 200 day simple moving average of $206.95.

Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, September 17th. The company reported $2.98 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.86 by $0.12. Ferguson had a return on equity of 36.89% and a net margin of 6.33%. The business had revenue of $7.95 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.01 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.77 EPS. Ferguson’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Ferguson plc will post 9.63 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Ferguson Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 27th will be given a $0.79 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 27th. This represents a $3.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.54%. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio is presently 34.54%.

Ferguson declared that its board has approved a stock repurchase plan on Tuesday, June 4th that permits the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to repurchase up to 2.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are usually a sign that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently issued reports on FERG shares. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Ferguson from $250.00 to $225.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday. Barclays increased their target price on Ferguson from $229.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on Ferguson from $211.00 to $219.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday. Robert W. Baird increased their target price on Ferguson from $222.00 to $225.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Citigroup increased their target price on Ferguson from $203.00 to $221.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $231.57.

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.