Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. Sells 188 Shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. lessened its holdings in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) by 0.6% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 31,659 shares of the company’s stock after selling 188 shares during the period. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc.’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $5,495,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in FERG. AMF Tjanstepension AB bought a new position in shares of Ferguson in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $2,523,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. lifted its stake in shares of Ferguson by 13.4% in the 3rd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 8,764 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,740,000 after purchasing an additional 1,033 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE lifted its stake in shares of Ferguson by 25.0% in the 3rd quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 7,190 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,428,000 after purchasing an additional 1,440 shares during the period. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd raised its stake in Ferguson by 26.1% during the 3rd quarter. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd now owns 3,638 shares of the company’s stock worth $722,000 after acquiring an additional 752 shares during the period. Finally, Reston Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Ferguson during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $40,000. Institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Trading Up 1.3 %

Ferguson stock opened at $177.48 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $35.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.31, a PEG ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.24. 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 plc has a 1 year low of $167.27 and a 1 year high of $225.63. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $178.12 and its 200-day moving average price is $193.33.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 20th. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.87%. This is a boost from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 39.86%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Zelman & Associates cut shares of Ferguson from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, January 17th. Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on shares of Ferguson from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Barclays decreased their target price 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. Bank of America upgraded shares of Ferguson from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their target price for the stock from $185.00 to $225.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. They set an “overweight” rating and a $204.00 target price on the stock. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus 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.