Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd Has $4.61 Million Stock Holdings in Ferguson plc $FERG

Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd grew its position in Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) by 11.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 20,523 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 2,145 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $4,609,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in FERG. Norges Bank bought a new position in Ferguson during the second quarter worth about $395,401,000. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its position in shares of Ferguson by 39.3% during the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 4,255,661 shares of the company’s stock worth $926,830,000 after purchasing an additional 1,201,493 shares during the period. First Eagle Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Ferguson during the 2nd quarter valued at about $130,650,000. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership grew its position in shares of Ferguson by 89.5% in the 2nd quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership now owns 759,687 shares of the company’s stock valued at $165,422,000 after purchasing an additional 358,853 shares during the period. Finally, Balyasny Asset Management L.P. increased its stake in Ferguson by 693.6% during the 2nd quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 296,411 shares of the company’s stock worth $64,543,000 after purchasing an additional 259,063 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at Ferguson

In other Ferguson news, insider James A. Paisley sold 3,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $236.97, for a total transaction of $710,910.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 2,211 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $523,940.67. This represents a 57.57% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Ian T. Graham sold 606 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $239.33, for a total transaction of $145,033.98. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 7,714 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,846,191.62. This represents a 7.28% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 4,723 shares of company stock worth $1,116,624 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.18% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Trading Up 4.0%

Shares of NYSE:FERG opened at $238.54 on Monday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $237.17 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $232.14. Ferguson plc has a one year low of $146.00 and a one 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 stock has a market capitalization of $46.65 billion, a PE ratio of 24.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 1.18.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, December 9th. The company reported $2.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.45 EPS. Ferguson’s revenue was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.89 per share. This is a positive change from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 2nd. This represents a $3.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.5%. Ferguson’s payout ratio is presently 35.96%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have weighed in on FERG shares. Vertical Research began 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. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Truist Financial increased their target price on Ferguson from $240.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 17th. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Ferguson in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on Ferguson from $237.00 to $246.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, December 11th. 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 company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Ferguson currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $252.31.

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.