Park Avenue Securities LLC Has $959,000 Stock Position in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

Park Avenue Securities LLC lifted its stake in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) by 17.0% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 5,524 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 804 shares during the quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $959,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of FERG. Asset Dedication LLC acquired a new position in Ferguson during the third quarter worth approximately $27,000. True Wealth Design LLC increased its position in Ferguson by 1,350.0% during the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 145 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in Ferguson during the third quarter worth approximately $37,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in Ferguson during the third quarter worth approximately $39,000. Finally, Reston Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Ferguson during the third quarter worth approximately $40,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Trading Up 0.6 %

Shares of FERG stock opened at $177.50 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. The stock has a market cap of $35.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 1.24. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $190.96 and a 200 day simple moving average of $198.14. Ferguson plc has a 1 year low of $167.27 and a 1 year high of $225.63.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 6th. Investors of record on Friday, December 20th will be paid a $0.83 dividend. This is a boost from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.87%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 20th. Ferguson’s payout ratio is 39.86%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

FERG has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. 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 research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $219.00 price target on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Bank of America raised Ferguson from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $185.00 to $225.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating and set a $193.00 price objective (down previously from $230.00) on shares of Ferguson in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price objective on Ferguson from $234.00 to $211.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $220.10.

Ferguson 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.