Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. Grows Stock Position in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. increased its stake in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) by 1.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 79,400 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,400 shares during the quarter. Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V.’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $13,781,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of FERG. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its stake in shares of Ferguson by 423.0% in the 3rd quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 1,462,836 shares of the company’s stock worth $290,475,000 after acquiring an additional 1,183,143 shares during the period. Vontobel Holding Ltd. lifted its position in Ferguson by 339.9% in the fourth quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 1,234,776 shares of the company’s stock valued at $214,320,000 after purchasing an additional 954,092 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its holdings in Ferguson by 7,632.6% in the 4th quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 677,684 shares of the company’s stock valued at $117,626,000 after purchasing an additional 668,920 shares in the last quarter. Southpoint Capital Advisors LP increased its position in Ferguson by 133.3% during the 3rd quarter. Southpoint Capital Advisors LP now owns 700,000 shares of the company’s stock worth $138,999,000 after purchasing an additional 400,000 shares during the period. Finally, Barclays PLC raised its stake in shares of Ferguson by 76.9% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 867,593 shares of the company’s stock worth $172,281,000 after buying an additional 377,283 shares in the last quarter. 81.98% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Ferguson Stock Down 0.5 %

Shares of NASDAQ FERG opened at $175.21 on Friday. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $178.13 and its two-hundred day moving average is $193.45. The company has a market capitalization of $35.03 billion, a PE ratio of 21.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.24. Ferguson plc has a 12-month low of $167.27 and a 12-month high of $225.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 0.91.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 6th. Investors of record on Friday, December 20th were paid a $0.83 dividend. 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 1.89%. This is a positive change from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio is presently 39.86%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the company. Citigroup decreased their price target on Ferguson from $221.00 to $189.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Morgan Stanley started coverage on Ferguson in a report on Monday, February 3rd. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $204.00 target price for the company. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Ferguson from $234.00 to $211.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Berenberg Bank increased their price target on shares of Ferguson from $224.00 to $240.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, UBS Group reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $193.00 price objective (down previously from $230.00) on shares of Ferguson in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target 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.