BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. Invests $6.83 Million in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. purchased a new stake in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 34,411 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,833,000.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Retireful LLC purchased a new position in Ferguson in the third quarter valued at about $530,000. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board bought a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $248,000. Commerce Bank lifted its stake in Ferguson by 3.8% in the third quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 2,666 shares of the company’s stock valued at $529,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. West Family Investments Inc. grew its holdings in Ferguson by 11.5% during the third quarter. West Family Investments Inc. now owns 1,260 shares of the company’s stock valued at $250,000 after purchasing an additional 130 shares during the period. Finally, B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG purchased a new stake in Ferguson in the third quarter worth $6,792,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at Ferguson

In related news, VP Michael Jacobs sold 2,624 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, October 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.96, for a total value of $527,319.04. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 1,116 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $224,271.36. This represents a 70.16 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, SVP Garland Williams sold 1,118 shares of Ferguson 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 sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 1,882 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $378,696.04. This trade represents a 37.27 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 12,313 shares of company stock valued at $2,477,901 in the last quarter. Insiders own 0.16% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Stock Up 1.2 %

FERG opened at $208.94 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.80 and a quick ratio of 1.00. Ferguson plc has a one year low of $166.21 and a one year high of $225.63. The firm has a market capitalization of $41.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $200.83 and a 200-day moving average price of $202.61.

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

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 27th were paid a $0.79 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 27th. This represents a $3.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.51%. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio is presently 37.05%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently weighed in on FERG. Citigroup increased their price target on Ferguson from $203.00 to $221.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 18th. UBS Group increased their target price on shares of Ferguson from $228.00 to $236.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 18th. Oppenheimer initiated coverage on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Wednesday, October 23rd. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $234.00 price target on the stock. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $225.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Ferguson from $229.00 to $245.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 18th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $233.38.

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.