Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) Shares Sold by Gotham Asset Management LLC

Gotham Asset Management LLC lowered its holdings in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) by 14.5% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 8,938 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,510 shares during the period. Gotham Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $1,551,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Manchester Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Ferguson by 906.7% in the 4th quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 151 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares during the last quarter. LGT Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Ferguson by 106.3% in the 4th quarter. LGT Financial Advisors LLC now owns 198 shares of the company’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares during the last quarter. Berbice Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ferguson in the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. R Squared Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Ferguson in the 4th quarter worth approximately $45,000. Finally, Private Trust Co. NA grew its stake in shares of Ferguson by 92.5% in the 4th quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 258 shares of the company’s stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Stock Performance

FERG stock opened at $184.54 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 1.68. The stock has a market cap of $36.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.15, a P/E/G ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.14. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $165.13 and a 200 day simple moving average of $179.62. Ferguson plc has a 52 week low of $146.00 and a 52 week high of $225.63.

Ferguson (NASDAQ:FERG) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, March 11th. The company reported $1.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.58 by ($0.06). The business had revenue of $6.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.76 billion. Ferguson had a net margin of 5.68% and a return on equity of 34.63%. Ferguson’s revenue was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.74 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that Ferguson plc will post 9.4 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Ferguson Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 21st were paid a $0.83 dividend. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.80%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 21st. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 40.84%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently weighed in on FERG. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Ferguson from $180.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, April 14th. Zelman & Associates downgraded shares of Ferguson from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, January 17th. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Ferguson from $211.00 to $190.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 12th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $189.00 target price on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Tuesday, March 18th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. They issued a “hold” rating and a $174.00 target price on the stock. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Ferguson currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $199.38.

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.