Ferguson plc $FERG Shares Purchased by Baader Bank Aktiengesellschaft

Baader Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased its stake in Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) by 3.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 61,001 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 2,001 shares during the period. Ferguson makes up 0.9% of Baader Bank Aktiengesellschaft’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest position. Baader Bank Aktiengesellschaft’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $13,700,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Ferguson by 178.3% in the 3rd quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 128 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 82 shares during the period. True Wealth Design LLC boosted its stake in shares of Ferguson by 145.3% during 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. Quent Capital LLC acquired a new position in Ferguson during the 3rd quarter worth $43,000. Harbour Investments Inc. grew its stake in Ferguson by 61.3% in the second quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 242 shares of the company’s stock worth $53,000 after purchasing an additional 92 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AdvisorShares Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ferguson in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $58,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Price Performance

Shares of NYSE FERG opened at $263.33 on Wednesday. Ferguson plc has a twelve month low of $146.00 and a twelve month high of $265.00. 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 $51.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.60, a PEG ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 1.18. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $240.16 and a two-hundred day moving average of $236.97.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) last released its 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. The business had revenue of $8.17 billion for the quarter. Ferguson had a net margin of 6.28% and a return on equity of 35.73%. The firm’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 firm earned $2.45 earnings per share.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The business 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 of this dividend is Friday, January 2nd. This represents a $3.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.4%. This is a boost from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio is 35.96%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently commented on FERG. Vertical Research initiated coverage on shares of Ferguson in a report on Monday, October 20th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $291.99 price target for the company. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on Ferguson from $262.00 to $265.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Ferguson in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price target on Ferguson from $267.00 to $278.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Two equities research 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 company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $253.00.

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.