Values First Advisors Inc. Decreases Stock Position in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

Values First Advisors Inc. cut its stake in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) by 7.0% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,945 shares of the company’s stock after selling 147 shares during the quarter. Values First Advisors Inc.’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $338,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. AMF Tjanstepension AB bought a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the 3rd quarter worth about $2,523,000. CWM LLC lifted its stake in Ferguson by 303.7% in the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 4,550 shares of the company’s stock worth $904,000 after purchasing an additional 3,423 shares during the last quarter. Creative Planning lifted its stake in Ferguson by 55.0% in the third quarter. Creative Planning now owns 7,404 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,470,000 after purchasing an additional 2,628 shares during the last quarter. Asset Dedication LLC purchased a new position in shares of Ferguson during the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Finally, Global Retirement Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Ferguson by 3.9% during the third quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 3,357 shares of the company’s stock valued at $667,000 after buying an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. 81.98% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Ferguson Trading Down 0.8 %

NASDAQ:FERG opened at $180.92 on Thursday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $181.46 and a 200-day simple moving average of $195.48. Ferguson plc has a one year low of $167.27 and a one year high of $225.63. The firm has a market cap of $36.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.21, a P/E/G ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 1.24. 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 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. This is an increase from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 20th. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.84%. Ferguson’s payout ratio is 39.86%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on FERG. Barclays decreased their price target on Ferguson from $234.00 to $211.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on Ferguson from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. 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. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $204.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $219.00 price objective on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $217.73.

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.