Vontobel Holding Ltd. Buys 954,092 Shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

Vontobel Holding Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) by 339.9% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,234,776 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 954,092 shares during the quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. owned about 0.62% of Ferguson worth $214,320,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC lifted its position in Ferguson by 1.8% during the third quarter. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC now owns 3,307 shares of the company’s stock valued at $657,000 after acquiring an additional 57 shares during the last quarter. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in Ferguson by 3.2% during the 3rd quarter. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,952 shares of the company’s stock worth $388,000 after buying an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its position in Ferguson by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 23,834 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,137,000 after buying an additional 86 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its stake in Ferguson by 33.8% in the third quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 364 shares of the company’s stock valued at $72,000 after buying an additional 92 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Caprock Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Ferguson by 2.8% during the fourth quarter. Caprock Group LLC now owns 3,496 shares of the company’s stock worth $610,000 after acquiring an additional 94 shares during the last quarter. 81.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Ferguson Trading Up 1.6 %

NASDAQ FERG opened at $183.70 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $180.83 and a two-hundred day moving average of $195.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $36.73 billion, a PE ratio of 19.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 1.24. Ferguson plc has a 52 week low of $167.27 and a 52 week high of $225.63.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 20th were given a dividend of $0.83 per share. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.81%. 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. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 39.86%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently commented on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $219.00 target price on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Barclays cut their price objective on Ferguson from $234.00 to $211.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Oppenheimer began coverage on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Wednesday, October 23rd. They set an “outperform” rating and a $234.00 target price for the company. Robert W. Baird lowered their price objective on Ferguson from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Berenberg Bank upped their price target on Ferguson from $224.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus 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.