UBS Group Reiterates “Neutral” Rating for Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG)

Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG)‘s stock had its “neutral” rating reiterated by equities research analysts at UBS Group in a research report issued on Wednesday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. They presently have a $193.00 price objective on the stock, down from their prior price objective of $230.00. UBS Group’s target price suggests a potential upside of 12.12% from the stock’s current price.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Royal Bank of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $219.00 target price on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Robert W. Baird decreased their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Berenberg Bank raised their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $224.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Barclays decreased their price objective on Ferguson from $245.00 to $234.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Finally, Oppenheimer initiated coverage on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Wednesday, October 23rd. They set an “outperform” rating and a $234.00 price objective on the stock. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Ferguson currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $222.40.

Ferguson Price Performance

Shares of FERG stock opened at $172.14 on Wednesday. Ferguson has a 12 month low of $170.93 and a 12 month high of $225.63. The company has a market capitalization of $34.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.67, a P/E/G ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a current ratio of 1.80, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $195.22 and a two-hundred day moving average of $198.88.

Insider Activity at Ferguson

In related news, insider Ian T. Graham sold 5,778 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, October 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $201.27, for a total transaction of $1,162,938.06. Following the sale, the insider now owns 5,938 shares in the company, valued at $1,195,141.26. The trade was a 49.32 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CAO Richard Winckler sold 1,325 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $201.75, for a total value of $267,318.75. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 1,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $201,750. This trade represents a 56.99 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 12,313 shares of company stock valued at $2,477,901 over the last ninety days. 0.16% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of FERG. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC boosted its stake in shares of Ferguson by 423.0% in the 3rd quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 1,462,836 shares of the company’s stock valued at $290,475,000 after purchasing an additional 1,183,143 shares during the last quarter. Southpoint Capital Advisors LP boosted its position in Ferguson by 133.3% during the third quarter. Southpoint Capital Advisors LP now owns 700,000 shares of the company’s stock valued at $138,999,000 after acquiring an additional 400,000 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC boosted its position in Ferguson by 76.9% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 867,593 shares of the company’s stock valued at $172,281,000 after acquiring an additional 377,283 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets acquired a new stake in Ferguson during the 3rd quarter worth about $63,420,000. Finally, FMR LLC lifted its stake in shares of Ferguson by 3.5% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 8,468,003 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,668,462,000 after purchasing an additional 288,935 shares during the period. 81.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.