Neo Ivy Capital Management Makes New $2.52 Million Investment in Ferguson plc $FERG

Neo Ivy Capital Management bought a new stake in Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 11,206 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,517,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in FERG. Atria Investments Inc lifted its stake in Ferguson by 38.2% during the third quarter. Atria Investments Inc now owns 15,401 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,459,000 after purchasing an additional 4,259 shares in the last quarter. Rakuten Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the 3rd quarter valued at $1,002,000. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd lifted its stake in Ferguson by 11.7% during the 3rd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 20,523 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,609,000 after acquiring an additional 2,145 shares in the last quarter. iA Global Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in Ferguson during the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,252,000. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH grew its position in Ferguson by 21.0% in the 3rd quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 322,924 shares of the company’s stock valued at $72,522,000 after acquiring an additional 55,981 shares in the last quarter. 81.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ferguson Stock Down 3.9%

FERG stock opened at $230.52 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $44.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.28, a PEG ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 1.17. The company has a current ratio of 1.88, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. Ferguson plc has a twelve month low of $146.00 and a twelve month high of $271.64. The company’s 50 day moving average is $248.66 and its two-hundred day moving average is $240.56.

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

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Investors of record on Friday, March 6th will be given a $0.89 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 6th. This represents a $3.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.5%. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio is 35.96%.

Ferguson News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Ferguson this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks upgraded Ferguson to a Rank #2 (Buy), citing improved earnings prospects — a near-term positive catalyst that could attract buyers and support the stock. All You Need to Know About Ferguson plc (FERG) Rating Upgrade to Buy
• Neutral Sentiment: Multiple high-profile media stories reference “Ferguson” (largely about Sarah, Duchess of York) — these unrelated headlines can create name-driven search and social media noise but are not company-specific fundamentals. Example coverage: ‘Loose Cannon’ Sarah Ferguson Could Expose Royal Family Secrets, Experts Warn and How Sarah Ferguson’s $475K Divorce Payout Made Her ‘Desperate for Money’
• Negative Sentiment: Ferguson reported Q3 EPS of $1.99 on 2/24, missing the consensus of $2.24 (a $0.25 shortfall). That earnings miss is the primary driver of downward pressure — despite solid return on equity (~35.7%) and positive margin trends, the EPS miss and the stock trading below its 50- and 200-day moving averages have prompted selling. (Company results referenced from recent earnings release.)

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $247.00 to $271.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 24th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Ferguson from $280.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Ferguson from $220.00 to $252.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 25th. Wall Street Zen cut Ferguson from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, January 10th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reissued a “buy” rating and set a $300.00 target price on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Tuesday, February 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus 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.