159,594 Shares in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) Acquired by Aware Super Pty Ltd as trustee of Aware Super

Aware Super Pty Ltd as trustee of Aware Super purchased a new stake in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 159,594 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $27,701,000. Aware Super Pty Ltd as trustee of Aware Super owned 0.08% of Ferguson as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. increased its stake in Ferguson by 1.3% in the fourth quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. now owns 6,390 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,109,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its stake in shares of Ferguson by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 23,834 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,137,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares during the last quarter. Caprock Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 2.8% in the fourth quarter. Caprock Group LLC now owns 3,496 shares of the company’s stock valued at $610,000 after purchasing an additional 94 shares during the period. Assetmark Inc. raised its stake in shares of Ferguson by 41.1% during the fourth quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 333 shares of the company’s stock worth $58,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Inspire Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 3.7% during the fourth quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC now owns 3,001 shares of the company’s stock worth $521,000 after purchasing an additional 108 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Price Performance

Ferguson stock opened at $164.61 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $32.91 billion, a PE ratio of 19.76, a P/E/G ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.17. Ferguson plc has a 52 week low of $146.00 and a 52 week high of $225.63. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $168.30 and its 200 day simple moving average is $184.30. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83.

Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 11th. The company reported $1.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.58 by ($0.06). Ferguson had a net margin of 5.68% and a return on equity of 34.63%. The business had revenue of $6.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.76 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.74 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that Ferguson plc will post 9.4 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 21st will be given a dividend of $0.83 per share. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.02%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 21st. Ferguson’s payout ratio is 40.84%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. Oppenheimer cut their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $234.00 to $189.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, March 12th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $189.00 price target on shares of Ferguson in a report on Tuesday, March 18th. Barclays lowered their price objective on Ferguson from $211.00 to $190.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 12th. Citigroup cut their target price on Ferguson from $189.00 to $168.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 12th. Finally, Wolfe Research started coverage on Ferguson in a research note on Monday, March 17th. They issued a “peer perform” rating on the stock. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Ferguson has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $198.62.

Ferguson Company Profile

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.