Fiduciary Management Inc. WI Has $330.85 Million Stock Holdings in Ferguson plc $FERG

Fiduciary Management Inc. WI lessened its holdings in shares of Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) by 25.0% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,486,106 shares of the company’s stock after selling 495,516 shares during the quarter. Ferguson accounts for approximately 3.6% of Fiduciary Management Inc. WI’s portfolio, making the stock its 4th largest position. Fiduciary Management Inc. WI owned about 0.76% of Ferguson worth $330,852,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Leonteq Securities AG bought a new stake in Ferguson during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Basepoint Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Ferguson during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division bought a new stake in Ferguson during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new stake in Ferguson during the 3rd quarter valued at $28,000. Finally, Grove Bank & Trust increased its stake in Ferguson by 154.4% during the 4th quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 145 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:FERG opened at $229.14 on Friday. The company’s 50-day moving average is $241.02 and its 200 day moving average is $241.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.78. The company has a market capitalization of $44.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 1.15. Ferguson plc has a fifty-two week low of $207.64 and a fifty-two week high of $271.64.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 5th. The company reported $2.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.14 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $7.47 billion for the quarter. Ferguson had a net margin of 6.98% and a return on equity of 38.81%. Ferguson’s quarterly revenue was up 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.50 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Ferguson plc will post 11.26 earnings per share for the current year.

Ferguson Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 8th. Investors of record on Friday, May 15th will be issued a $0.89 dividend. This represents a $3.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 15th. Ferguson’s payout ratio is 41.40%.

Ferguson declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback program on Tuesday, May 5th that authorizes the company to repurchase $2.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to purchase up to 3.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are often a sign that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have commented on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Ferguson from $271.00 to $281.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 6th. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Ferguson from $295.00 to $297.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, May 8th. Citigroup restated a “neutral” rating on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Wednesday, May 6th. Truist Financial boosted their price target on shares of Ferguson from $260.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 25th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $260.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 6th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $273.64.

About Ferguson

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.