Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) Shares Purchased by GAMMA Investing LLC

GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) by 4.8% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 2,907 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 133 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $505,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its position in shares of Ferguson by 167.8% during the fourth quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 399 shares of the company’s stock worth $69,000 after purchasing an additional 250 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its stake in Ferguson by 32.5% in the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 32,025 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,359,000 after purchasing an additional 7,862 shares in the last quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC increased its stake in Ferguson by 9.9% in the 3rd quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC now owns 518,867 shares of the company’s stock worth $103,031,000 after purchasing an additional 46,947 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its holdings in Ferguson by 6.0% during the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 2,371,954 shares of the company’s stock worth $477,858,000 after buying an additional 133,769 shares during the period. Finally, Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new stake in Ferguson during the third quarter valued at about $66,000. 81.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, VP Michael Jacobs sold 2,624 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.96, for a total transaction of $527,319.04. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 1,116 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $224,271.36. This represents a 70.16 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP Garland Williams sold 1,118 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $201.22, for a total value of $224,963.96. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 1,882 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $378,696.04. This trade represents a 37.27 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 12,313 shares of company stock valued at $2,477,901 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.16% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on FERG shares. Berenberg Bank lifted their target price on shares of Ferguson from $224.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Ferguson from $203.00 to $221.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 18th. Oppenheimer started coverage on Ferguson in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $234.00 target price for the company. Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on Ferguson from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $219.00 price objective on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $230.44.

Ferguson Stock Performance

Shares of FERG stock opened at $174.26 on Monday. Ferguson plc has a fifty-two week low of $171.68 and a fifty-two week high of $225.63. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $197.14 and its two-hundred day moving average is $199.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.80 and a quick ratio of 1.00. The firm has a market cap of $34.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.92, a PEG ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.21.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 20th will be paid a $0.83 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 20th. This is a boost from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.91%. Ferguson’s payout ratio is 39.86%.

Ferguson Company Profile

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.