Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) Sets New 1-Year High – Should You Buy?

Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG)’s stock price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $257.00 and last traded at $252.4760, with a volume of 37079 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $256.43.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on FERG shares. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Ferguson in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Vertical Research initiated coverage on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Monday, October 20th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $291.99 price target on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Ferguson from $225.00 to $245.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Ferguson from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, January 10th. Finally, Robert W. Baird upped their target price on shares of Ferguson from $262.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Two equities 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, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $253.00.

Ferguson Stock Down 1.3%

The company has a current ratio of 1.88, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The company has a market capitalization of $49.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.48, a PEG ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 1.18. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $238.51 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $234.70.

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

Ferguson Increases Dividend

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

Institutional Trading of Ferguson

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of FERG. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division bought a new position in Ferguson in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. True Wealth Design LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 145.3% in the 2nd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 130 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 77 shares during the last quarter. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new position in shares of Ferguson in the third quarter valued at $28,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Ferguson by 178.3% in the third quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 128 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Grove Bank & Trust increased its holdings in Ferguson by 154.4% during the fourth quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 145 shares of the company’s stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 88 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Company Profile

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.