Blue Trust Inc. Decreases Stake in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

Blue Trust Inc. cut its holdings in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) by 65.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 783 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,515 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc.’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $136,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. True Wealth Design LLC grew 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 valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 135 shares during the period. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new stake in Ferguson during the third quarter valued at about $37,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Ferguson during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of Ferguson during the 3rd quarter valued at about $40,000. Finally, Berbice Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Ferguson in the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. 81.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently commented on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $219.00 price target on shares of Ferguson in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Berenberg Bank increased their target price on shares of Ferguson from $224.00 to $240.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Bank of America upgraded Ferguson from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $185.00 to $225.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on shares of Ferguson from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Morgan Stanley started coverage on Ferguson in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $204.00 price objective on the stock. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $217.73.

Ferguson Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ FERG opened at $175.90 on Friday. 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 plc has a fifty-two week low of $167.27 and a fifty-two week high of $225.63. The company has a market cap of $35.17 billion, a PE ratio of 21.12, a P/E/G ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 1.24. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $178.64 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $194.10.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 20th were paid a $0.83 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 20th. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.89%. This is a positive change from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio 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.