Robeco Schweiz AG Lowers Position in Ferguson plc $FERG

Robeco Schweiz AG decreased its holdings in shares of Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) by 33.8% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 307,152 shares of the company’s stock after selling 156,522 shares during the period. Ferguson comprises 1.6% of Robeco Schweiz AG’s portfolio, making the stock its 21st largest holding. Robeco Schweiz AG’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $68,980,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its holdings in Ferguson by 145.3% during the second quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 130 shares of the company’s stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 77 shares during the period. Hemington Wealth Management raised its position in shares of Ferguson by 51.5% in the 2nd quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 153 shares of the company’s stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 52 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp raised its position in shares of Ferguson by 230.8% in the 2nd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 172 shares of the company’s stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 120 shares in the last quarter. Maseco LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the 2nd quarter worth $40,000. Finally, Quent Capital LLC bought a new stake in Ferguson during the third quarter valued at about $43,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Key Stories Impacting Ferguson

Here are the key news stories impacting Ferguson this week:

• Neutral Sentiment: Gov. Bob Ferguson’s State of the State speech highlighting a proposed “millionaire’s tax,” a $3B infrastructure plan, and calls for action on housing, health and other state issues. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage and video of Ferguson championing a “millionaire’s tax” during his address. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: Local reporting on Ferguson pitching the millionaire’s tax and infrastructure proposals in his annual address. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: Additional national coverage of the governor’s call for a millionaire’s tax and other policy priorities. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: Article summarizing what Gov. Bob Ferguson said and omitted in his State of the State. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage noting Ferguson’s remarks on ICE, vaccines and taxes during the address. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: Governor Ferguson to support a bill regulating AI to detect self-harm searches — policy/tech news focused on public safety. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: Several lifestyle/royal-family items referencing Sarah Ferguson; unrelated to the company. Article Title

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have weighed in on FERG. Sanford C. Bernstein restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Ferguson from $225.00 to $245.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. UBS Group dropped their price target on shares of Ferguson from $225.00 to $220.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Ferguson from $273.00 to $267.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $252.31.

Ferguson Stock Performance

NYSE:FERG opened at $243.15 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 1.88 and a quick ratio of 1.01. Ferguson plc has a 12 month low of $146.00 and a 12 month high of $256.93. The firm has a market capitalization of $47.55 billion, a PE ratio of 24.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 1.18. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $237.01 and its 200 day moving average price is $232.48.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) last released its quarterly 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. Ferguson had a return on equity of 35.73% and a net margin of 6.28%.The company had revenue of $8.17 billion for the quarter. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.45 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis.

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 given a $0.89 dividend. This is an increase from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. This represents a $3.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 2nd. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 35.96%.

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.