Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd Acquires 2,145 Shares of Ferguson plc $FERG

Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd grew its holdings in Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) by 11.7% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 20,523 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 2,145 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $4,609,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its stake in Ferguson by 23.9% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 15,262 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,445,000 after acquiring an additional 2,940 shares during the period. Caxton Associates LLP acquired a new position in shares of Ferguson in the first quarter valued at $310,000. Focus Partners Wealth raised its position in shares of Ferguson by 22.7% in the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 3,140 shares of the company’s stock valued at $503,000 after purchasing an additional 581 shares during the period. First Hawaiian Bank lifted its stake in shares of Ferguson by 15.4% during the 1st quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 2,274 shares of the company’s stock worth $364,000 after buying an additional 303 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AG2R LA Mondiale Gestion D Actifs bought a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the 1st quarter worth about $1,345,000. 81.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Ferguson Trading Up 4.0%

Shares of FERG stock opened at $238.54 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $46.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 1.18. Ferguson plc has a 1 year low of $146.00 and a 1 year high of $256.93. The company has a current ratio of 1.88, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $237.17 and a 200 day simple moving average of $232.14.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 9th. The company reported $2.84 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.77 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $8.17 billion during the quarter. Ferguson had a return on equity of 35.73% and a net margin of 6.28%.Ferguson’s revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.45 earnings per share.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Investors of record on Friday, January 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.89 per share. This is a positive change from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. This represents a $3.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 2nd. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 35.96%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Ferguson news, insider James A. Paisley sold 3,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $236.97, for a total value of $710,910.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 2,211 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $523,940.67. This trade represents a 57.57% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Ian T. Graham sold 606 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $239.33, for a total transaction of $145,033.98. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 7,714 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,846,191.62. The trade was a 7.28% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 4,723 shares of company stock worth $1,116,624 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.18% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Vertical Research began coverage on shares of Ferguson in a report on Monday, October 20th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $291.99 price target on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on Ferguson from $237.00 to $246.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Ferguson in a report on Friday. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price objective on Ferguson from $268.00 to $289.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Finally, Barclays lowered their price objective on Ferguson from $273.00 to $267.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Ferguson presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $252.31.

Ferguson Company Profile

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.