Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERGGet Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-one ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $250.47.

Several brokerages recently issued reports on FERG. Vertical Research initiated coverage on Ferguson in a research note on Monday, October 20th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $291.99 price objective on the stock. Barclays dropped their price target on Ferguson from $273.00 to $267.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on Ferguson from $275.00 to $280.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, December 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $225.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, Oppenheimer raised their target price on shares of Ferguson from $235.00 to $255.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 17th.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on FERG

More Ferguson News

Here are the key news stories impacting Ferguson this week:

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Kevin Michael Murphy sold 8,800 shares of Ferguson stock in a transaction on Monday, October 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $234.13, for a total value of $2,060,344.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 159,931 shares in the company, valued at approximately $37,444,645.03. This trade represents a 5.22% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO William Brundage sold 3,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, October 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $233.32, for a total value of $699,960.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 52,631 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,279,864.92. The trade was a 5.39% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 29,264 shares of company stock valued at $6,853,349 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.18% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ferguson

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. AIA Group Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the third quarter valued at about $1,739,000. Saranac Partners Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Ferguson in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $364,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new position in shares of Ferguson during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Allworth Financial LP raised its stake in shares of Ferguson by 106.9% during the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,022 shares of the company’s stock worth $229,000 after acquiring an additional 528 shares in the last quarter. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc lifted its position in Ferguson by 55.8% during the third quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 201 shares of the company’s stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Trading Down 0.7%

Shares of FERG opened at $225.41 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $44.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.77, a PEG ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 1.88 and a quick ratio of 1.01. Ferguson has a 1-year low of $146.00 and a 1-year high of $256.93. The company has a 50-day moving average of $240.44 and a 200 day moving average of $231.49.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERGGet Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, December 9th. The company reported $2.84 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.77 by $0.07. Ferguson had a net margin of 6.28% and a return on equity of 35.73%. The business had revenue of $8.17 billion for the quarter. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.45 earnings per share. Ferguson’s revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.89 per share. This is a boost from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. This represents a $3.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 2nd. Ferguson’s payout ratio is 33.54%.

About Ferguson

(Get Free Report)

Ferguson (NYSE: FERG) is a multinational distributor specializing in plumbing and heating products and related building supplies, serving professional contractors, builders and industrial customers. The company supplies a broad range of products used in residential, commercial and infrastructure projects, including pipes and fittings, valves and controls, HVAC equipment, waterworks materials, plumbing fixtures, pumps and accessories, as well as complementary electrical and specialty product lines.

Ferguson operates a network of branches and distribution centers that provide inventory, logistics and value-added services to trade customers.

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Analyst Recommendations for Ferguson (NYSE:FERG)

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