Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) Issues Earnings Results

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) announced its earnings results on Tuesday. The company reported $1.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.24 by ($0.25), Briefing.com reports. Ferguson had a net margin of 6.28% and a return on equity of 35.73%. The firm’s revenue was up 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.52 EPS.

Ferguson Stock Up 1.2%

Ferguson stock opened at $254.45 on Tuesday. Ferguson has a 12 month low of $146.00 and a 12 month high of $271.64. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $244.27 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $239.18. 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 firm has a market cap of $49.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.76, a PEG ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 1.18.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed 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 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio is 35.96%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their target price on Ferguson from $237.00 to $246.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on shares of Ferguson from $268.00 to $289.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $267.00 to $278.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Finally, Robert W. Baird boosted their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $262.00 to $265.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Ferguson presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $253.00.

Institutional Trading of Ferguson

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its position in Ferguson by 23.9% during the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 15,262 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,445,000 after purchasing an additional 2,940 shares during the period. Caxton Associates LLP bought a new position in Ferguson in the first quarter valued at about $310,000. Focus Partners Wealth lifted its stake in shares of Ferguson by 22.7% during the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 3,140 shares of the company’s stock valued at $503,000 after buying an additional 581 shares in the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the 2nd quarter worth about $257,000. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 7.5% in the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 690 shares of the company’s stock worth $150,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the period. 81.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.