Waverton Investment Management Ltd Has $328.90 Million Stake in Ferguson plc $FERG

Waverton Investment Management Ltd raised its holdings in Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) by 30.8% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 1,465,335 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 345,165 shares during the quarter. Ferguson accounts for 4.2% of Waverton Investment Management Ltd’s holdings, making the stock its 8th largest position. Waverton Investment Management Ltd’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $328,902,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of FERG. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Ferguson in the third quarter valued at about $764,000. Huntington National Bank grew its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 68.2% during the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 883 shares of the company’s stock valued at $198,000 after purchasing an additional 358 shares during the last quarter. Egerton Capital UK LLP increased its position in Ferguson by 16.4% during the 3rd quarter. Egerton Capital UK LLP now owns 2,600,224 shares of the company’s stock worth $583,958,000 after purchasing an additional 366,898 shares in the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP lifted its stake in Ferguson by 58.8% in the 3rd quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 22,468 shares of the company’s stock valued at $5,046,000 after purchasing an additional 8,323 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Handelsbanken Fonder AB grew its stake in shares of Ferguson by 0.5% during the third quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 102,368 shares of the company’s stock worth $22,990,000 after buying an additional 465 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Stock Down 1.6%

Shares of NYSE FERG opened at $260.62 on Monday. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $247.14 and its 200-day moving average price is $240.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a current ratio of 1.88. Ferguson plc has a 52-week low of $146.00 and a 52-week high of $271.64. The company has a market capitalization of $50.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 1.18.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 24th. The company reported $1.99 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.24 by ($0.25). Ferguson had a return on equity of 35.73% and a net margin of 6.28%.During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.52 EPS. Ferguson’s quarterly revenue was up 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 6th will be issued a dividend of $0.89 per share. This represents a $3.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 6th. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 35.96%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a “buy” rating and set a $300.00 price objective on shares of Ferguson in a report on Tuesday, February 24th. UBS Group upped their price objective on Ferguson from $220.00 to $252.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 25th. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $278.00 to $295.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 25th. Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on shares of Ferguson from $262.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $262.62.

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.