Manning & Napier Advisors LLC Has $5.88 Million Holdings in Ferguson plc $FERG

Manning & Napier Advisors LLC lessened its position in Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) by 42.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 26,125 shares of the company’s stock after selling 19,660 shares during the quarter. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $5,878,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of FERG. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC increased its holdings in Ferguson by 4.6% during the third quarter. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC now owns 992 shares of the company’s stock worth $223,000 after buying an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Smithfield Trust Co lifted its holdings in Ferguson by 3.5% during the 2nd quarter. Smithfield Trust Co now owns 1,342 shares of the company’s stock worth $291,000 after purchasing an additional 46 shares during the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its stake in shares of Ferguson by 7.5% in the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 690 shares of the company’s stock valued at $150,000 after acquiring an additional 48 shares in the last quarter. Hemington Wealth Management grew its position in shares of Ferguson by 51.5% during the 2nd quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 153 shares of the company’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 52 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB raised its position in shares of Ferguson by 21.7% in the third quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 292 shares of the company’s stock valued at $66,000 after buying an additional 52 shares in the last quarter. 81.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ferguson Price Performance

FERG opened at $246.22 on Thursday. Ferguson plc has a 1 year low of $146.00 and a 1 year high of $256.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 1.88 and a quick ratio of 1.01. The company has a market capitalization of $48.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.87, a P/E/G ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 1.18. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $236.96 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $232.57.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, December 9th. The company reported $2.84 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.77 by $0.07. Ferguson had a return on equity of 35.73% and a net margin of 6.28%.The business had revenue of $8.17 billion for the quarter. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.45 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Investors of record on Friday, January 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.89 per share. This is a positive change from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. This represents a $3.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 2nd. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio is 35.96%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Wall Street Zen cut Ferguson from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, January 10th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on Ferguson from $268.00 to $289.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Ferguson from $225.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Finally, Barclays reduced their target price on Ferguson from $273.00 to $267.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $252.31.

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.