Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) has earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the ten ratings firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and eight have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $222.40.

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Citigroup reduced their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $221.00 to $189.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Berenberg Bank raised their price target on shares of Ferguson from $224.00 to $240.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. UBS Group reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $193.00 target price (down previously from $230.00) on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $220.00 to $215.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Ferguson from $245.00 to $234.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, December 12th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ferguson

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Asset Dedication LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ferguson during the 3rd quarter worth about $27,000. True Wealth Design LLC boosted its stake in Ferguson by 1,350.0% during the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 145 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in Ferguson during the third quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Ferguson in the third quarter worth $39,000. Finally, Reston Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Ferguson during the third quarter worth $40,000. 81.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ferguson Stock Performance

NASDAQ FERG opened at $175.69 on Wednesday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $193.57 and a 200 day moving average price of $198.52. The company has a market capitalization of $35.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.09, a PEG ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.24. Ferguson has a 1-year low of $167.27 and a 1-year high of $225.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.80 and a quick ratio of 1.00.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 20th will be issued a dividend of $0.83 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 20th. This is a boost from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.89%. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 39.86%.

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.