6,288 Shares in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) Purchased by Algert Global LLC

Algert Global LLC bought a new position in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 6,288 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,249,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of FERG. Kennedy Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Ferguson during the first quarter worth about $216,000. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. increased its stake in Ferguson by 33.2% in the 1st quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 3,966 shares of the company’s stock worth $866,000 after purchasing an additional 989 shares in the last quarter. Tidal Investments LLC increased its stake in Ferguson by 18.3% in the 1st quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 7,295 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,593,000 after purchasing an additional 1,126 shares in the last quarter. Swedbank AB acquired a new stake in Ferguson during the 1st quarter worth about $26,379,000. Finally, Atria Investments Inc lifted its stake in Ferguson by 5.8% during the first quarter. Atria Investments Inc now owns 17,962 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,923,000 after buying an additional 979 shares in the last quarter. 81.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ferguson Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ FERG opened at $213.27 on Friday. Ferguson plc has a one year low of $166.21 and a one year high of $225.63. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $201.47 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $202.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.80 and a quick ratio of 1.00. The company has a market capitalization of $42.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 1.20.

Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, September 17th. The company reported $2.98 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.86 by $0.12. The firm had revenue of $7.95 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.01 billion. Ferguson had a return on equity of 36.53% and a net margin of 5.85%. The firm’s revenue was up 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.77 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that Ferguson plc will post 9.77 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 27th were paid a $0.79 dividend. This represents a $3.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.48%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 27th. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 37.05%.

Insider Activity at Ferguson

In related news, insider Ian T. Graham sold 5,778 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, October 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $201.27, for a total value of $1,162,938.06. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 5,938 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,195,141.26. This represents a 49.32 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP Garland Williams sold 1,118 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, October 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $201.22, for a total transaction of $224,963.96. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 1,882 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $378,696.04. This represents a 37.27 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 12,313 shares of company stock valued at $2,477,901. Insiders own 0.16% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Ferguson from $211.00 to $219.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 18th. Barclays increased their target price on Ferguson from $229.00 to $245.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 18th. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on Ferguson from $225.00 to $230.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Ferguson from $225.00 to $232.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, Oppenheimer initiated coverage on Ferguson in a research report on Wednesday, October 23rd. They set an “outperform” rating and a $234.00 price objective for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $233.38.

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.