Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) Stock Position Trimmed by Yousif Capital Management LLC

Yousif Capital Management LLC trimmed its position in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) by 38.9% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,355 shares of the company’s stock after selling 2,777 shares during the period. Yousif Capital Management LLC’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $756,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC boosted its position in Ferguson by 423.0% during 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 worth $290,475,000 after acquiring an additional 1,183,143 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. raised its stake in shares of Ferguson by 7,632.6% during the fourth quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 677,684 shares of the company’s stock valued at $117,626,000 after purchasing an additional 668,920 shares in the last quarter. Southpoint Capital Advisors LP lifted its holdings in Ferguson by 133.3% in the third quarter. Southpoint Capital Advisors LP now owns 700,000 shares of the company’s stock worth $138,999,000 after purchasing an additional 400,000 shares during the period. Barclays PLC grew its position in Ferguson by 76.9% in the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 867,593 shares of the company’s stock valued at $172,281,000 after buying an additional 377,283 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC increased its stake in Ferguson by 910.3% during the 4th quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 366,015 shares of the company’s stock valued at $63,529,000 after buying an additional 329,786 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Price Performance

FERG stock opened at $184.29 on Friday. Ferguson plc has a one year low of $167.27 and a one year high of $225.63. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $180.18 and a two-hundred day moving average of $194.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $36.85 billion, a PE ratio of 22.12, a P/E/G ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 6th. Investors of record on Friday, December 20th were given a $0.83 dividend. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.80%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 20th. This is an increase from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio is 39.86%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Zelman & Associates lowered shares of Ferguson from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, January 17th. Citigroup decreased their price target on Ferguson from $221.00 to $189.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Berenberg Bank boosted their price objective on Ferguson from $224.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on Ferguson from $215.00 to $205.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Oppenheimer initiated coverage on Ferguson in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. They set an “outperform” rating and a $234.00 target price on the stock. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $217.73.

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.