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

Shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) have earned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the ten ratings firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and eight have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $230.44.

FERG has been the subject of several analyst reports. Berenberg Bank raised their target price on Ferguson from $224.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on Ferguson from $203.00 to $221.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 18th. Oppenheimer started coverage on shares of Ferguson in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $234.00 target price on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $219.00 target price on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Ferguson from $220.00 to $215.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th.

Insider Transactions at Ferguson

In other news, VP Michael Jacobs sold 2,624 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, October 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.96, for a total transaction of $527,319.04. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 1,116 shares in the company, valued at $224,271.36. The trade was a 70.16 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CMO Victoria Morrissey sold 1,468 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $201.20, for a total value of $295,361.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief marketing officer now owns 5,205 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,047,246. This represents a 22.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 12,313 shares of company stock worth $2,477,901. Corporate insiders own 0.16% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ferguson

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of FERG. Asset Dedication LLC bought a new stake in Ferguson in the third quarter valued at about $27,000. True Wealth Design LLC grew its position in shares of Ferguson by 1,350.0% during the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 145 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 135 shares during the period. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the 3rd quarter valued at about $37,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Finally, Reston Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Stock Up 0.5 %

Shares of FERG opened at $177.31 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $200.62 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $201.02. The stock has a market cap of $35.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.29, a P/E/G ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.21. Ferguson has a 12 month low of $172.00 and a 12 month high of $225.63.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 20th will be given a $0.83 dividend. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.87%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 20th. This is a boost from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 39.86%.

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.