Equities Analysts Set Expectations for Ferguson plc’s Q1 2025 Earnings (NASDAQ:FERG)

Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) – Research analysts at William Blair dropped their Q1 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Ferguson in a research report issued on Tuesday, September 17th. William Blair analyst R. Merkel now forecasts that the company will earn $2.70 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $2.89. The consensus estimate for Ferguson’s current full-year earnings is $9.63 per share. William Blair also issued estimates for Ferguson’s Q2 2025 earnings at $1.81 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $2.35 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $3.04 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $11.71 EPS.

Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, September 17th. The company reported $2.98 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.86 by $0.12. Ferguson had a net margin of 6.33% and a return on equity of 36.89%. The business had revenue of $7.95 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.01 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.77 EPS. Ferguson’s revenue was up 1.4% on a year-over-year basis.

Several other equities analysts have also recently commented on the company. Barclays boosted their target price on Ferguson from $229.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $203.00 to $221.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Ferguson from $211.00 to $219.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on shares of Ferguson from $222.00 to $225.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $250.00 to $225.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $231.57.

Ferguson Trading Down 0.7 %

Ferguson stock opened at $205.52 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a current ratio of 1.68. Ferguson has a fifty-two week low of $147.62 and a fifty-two week high of $225.63. The stock has a market cap of $41.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.46, a PEG ratio of 6.13 and a beta of 1.21. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $204.35 and its 200-day moving average price is $206.95.

Ferguson announced that its board has approved a share buyback plan on Tuesday, June 4th that permits the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to repurchase up to 2.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are often a sign that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 8th. Investors of record on Friday, September 27th will be issued a dividend of $0.79 per share. This represents a $3.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.54%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 27th. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio is currently 34.54%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ferguson

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. BayBridge Capital Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Ferguson by 2.0% during the first quarter. BayBridge Capital Group LLC now owns 2,373 shares of the company’s stock valued at $494,000 after buying an additional 47 shares during the last quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC increased its stake in Ferguson by 3.0% in the 1st quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,663 shares of the company’s stock worth $363,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the period. OneAscent Financial Services LLC lifted its position in Ferguson by 1.9% in the first quarter. OneAscent Financial Services LLC now owns 2,584 shares of the company’s stock valued at $565,000 after purchasing an additional 49 shares during the last quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Ferguson by 3.6% during the first quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,568 shares of the company’s stock valued at $342,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the period. Finally, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 1.8% in the first quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. now owns 3,142 shares of the company’s stock worth $686,000 after purchasing an additional 57 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

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.