Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG) Now Covered by Analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft

Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG) in a report released on Tuesday morning, MarketBeat.com reports. The brokerage issued a hold rating and a $174.00 price target on the stock.

A number of other equities research analysts have also weighed in on FERG. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Ferguson in a report on Monday, February 3rd. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $204.00 target price on the stock. UBS Group reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $193.00 price target (down from $230.00) on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of Ferguson from $189.00 to $168.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 12th. Robert W. Baird set a $190.00 price target on shares of Ferguson and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 12th. Finally, Wolfe Research initiated coverage on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Monday, March 17th. They issued a “peer perform” rating for the company. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $198.62.

Ferguson Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of NASDAQ:FERG opened at $160.61 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $32.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.28, a PEG ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.28. Ferguson has a 52-week low of $152.52 and a 52-week high of $225.63. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $173.08 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $187.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 1.68.

Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 11th. The company reported $1.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.58 by ($0.06). Ferguson had a net margin of 5.68% and a return on equity of 34.63%. The business had revenue of $6.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.76 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.74 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts forecast that Ferguson will post 9.4 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 6th. Investors of record on Friday, March 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.83 per share. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.07%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 21st. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio is currently 40.84%.

Institutional Trading of Ferguson

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its position in Ferguson by 1,350.0% in the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 145 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 906.7% during the fourth quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 151 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares during the period. LGT Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Ferguson by 106.3% in the fourth quarter. LGT Financial Advisors LLC now owns 198 shares of the company’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares during the last quarter. Berbice Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Ferguson during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Private Trust Co. NA lifted its holdings in Ferguson by 92.5% in the 4th quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 258 shares of the company’s stock worth $45,000 after buying an additional 124 shares during the period. 81.98% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.