Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) has received an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the twelve analysts that are covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and nine have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $217.73.

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $219.00 price objective on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $193.00 price target (down from $230.00) on shares of Ferguson in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Bank of America upgraded shares of Ferguson from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their price target for the stock from $185.00 to $225.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Berenberg Bank upped their price target on shares of Ferguson from $224.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of Ferguson in a report on Monday, February 3rd. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $204.00 price target on the stock.

Institutional Trading of Ferguson

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Manchester Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Ferguson by 906.7% during the fourth quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 151 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 136 shares during the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC increased its holdings in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. LGT Financial Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 106.3% during the fourth quarter. LGT Financial Advisors LLC now owns 198 shares of the company’s stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. Berbice Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ferguson during the fourth quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in shares of Ferguson during the third quarter valued at about $37,000. 81.98% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Ferguson Trading Up 1.2 %

FERG stock opened at $170.42 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. Ferguson has a twelve month low of $167.27 and a twelve month high of $225.63. The stock has a market capitalization of $34.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.24. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $177.74 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $192.50.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 6th. Investors of record on Friday, December 20th were paid a $0.83 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 20th. This is a positive change from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.95%. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio is 39.86%.

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.