Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) Shares Purchased by West Family Investments Inc.

West Family Investments Inc. raised its stake in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) by 11.5% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 1,260 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 130 shares during the quarter. West Family Investments Inc.’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $250,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Asset Dedication LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. EdgeRock Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Ferguson during the second quarter worth about $32,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in Ferguson during the third quarter worth about $37,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the third quarter worth about $39,000. Finally, Reston Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Ferguson in the third quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Stock Up 0.6 %

FERG stock opened at $201.93 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $40.54 billion, a PE ratio of 20.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a fifty day moving average of $199.91 and a 200-day moving average of $202.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.80. Ferguson plc has a one year low of $164.22 and a one year high of $225.63.

Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, September 17th. The company reported $2.98 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.86 by $0.12. Ferguson had a net margin of 5.85% and a return on equity of 36.53%. The firm had revenue of $7.95 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.01 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.77 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts expect that Ferguson plc will post 9.77 EPS for the current year.

Ferguson Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 8th. Investors of record on Friday, September 27th were issued a $0.79 dividend. This represents a $3.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.56%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, September 27th. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio is currently 37.05%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on FERG shares. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Ferguson from $228.00 to $236.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 18th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on Ferguson from $211.00 to $219.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 18th. Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on Ferguson from $225.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $203.00 to $221.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 18th. Finally, Oppenheimer started coverage on shares of Ferguson in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $234.00 target price for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Ferguson has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $233.38.

Insider Buying and Selling at Ferguson

In related news, CAO Richard Winckler sold 1,325 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $201.75, for a total value of $267,318.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 1,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $201,750. The trade was a 56.99 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Garland Williams sold 1,118 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $201.22, for a total value of $224,963.96. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 1,882 shares in the company, valued at $378,696.04. This trade represents a 37.27 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 12,313 shares of company stock valued at $2,477,901. Insiders own 0.16% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson 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.