Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totaling 1,847,223 shares, a growth of 21.4% from the March 15th total of 1,521,597 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,244,672 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.5 days. Currently, 1.0% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Ferguson News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Ferguson this week:

• Neutral Sentiment: Multiple outlets report Sarah Ferguson was photographed at an Austrian ski resort after months out of the public eye, emphasizing a low profile amid recent controversy. MSN: Sarah Ferguson Surfaces
• Neutral Sentiment: Report that Sarah Ferguson is considering a major TV project that critics say could be damaging to the royal family narrative. AOL: TV Move
• Neutral Sentiment: Several outlets (Yahoo, Page Six, Jang, RadarOnline) repeat sightings and sheltering details — variations of the same “spotted after months” story. Yahoo: Spotted in Austria
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage linking her absence to fallout from an Epstein-related exposé and broader scrutiny; some outlets quote insiders on secrecy and tension with ex-Prince Andrew. Yahoo: Epstein Exposé Context
• Neutral Sentiment: Video/analysis pieces describe a “combative” dynamic between Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew, painting both as secretive and paranoid. Yahoo Video: Combative Clashes
• Neutral Sentiment: Reports detail costs and measures Ferguson is allegedly using to keep a low public profile. Yahoo: Costs to Stay Hidden
• Neutral Sentiment: Follow-ups note she’s participating in a book project but sources say it’s not a tell-all memoir. Yahoo: Book Participation
• Neutral Sentiment: Exclusive claims she wrote a foreword for a book by a holistic healer with whom she’s been associated while relocating. RadarOnline: Book Foreword
• Neutral Sentiment: Page Six and other tabloids reiterate the sighting and tie it to the Epstein scandal narrative. Page Six: Spotted After Disappearing
• Neutral Sentiment: Regional outlet coverage (Jang) echoes international reports of her “breaking cover” after months away. Jang: Breaks Cover

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ferguson

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in shares of Ferguson by 150.8% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 9,366,465 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,085,256,000 after acquiring an additional 5,631,554 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Ferguson during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $498,005,000. Durable Capital Partners LP bought a new position in shares of Ferguson during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $244,561,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd grew its stake in shares of Ferguson by 588.1% during the 3rd quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 1,087,523 shares of the company’s stock valued at $244,236,000 after acquiring an additional 929,475 shares during the period. Finally, 59 North Capital Management LP grew its stake in shares of Ferguson by 114.7% during the 3rd quarter. 59 North Capital Management LP now owns 1,255,137 shares of the company’s stock valued at $281,879,000 after acquiring an additional 670,473 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Stock Performance

Shares of FERG stock opened at $260.72 on Friday. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $243.80 and its two-hundred day moving average is $241.78. The firm has a market cap of $50.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.34, a PEG ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 1.21. Ferguson has a 1 year low of $158.68 and a 1 year high of $271.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a current ratio of 1.88.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 24th. The company reported $1.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.24 by ($0.25). Ferguson had a return on equity of 40.37% and a net margin of 6.93%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.52 EPS.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 6th will be paid a dividend of $0.89 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 6th. This represents a $3.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.4%. Ferguson’s payout ratio is currently 35.96%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Barclays upped their price objective on Ferguson from $278.00 to $295.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price objective on Ferguson from $247.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 24th. Morgan Stanley reissued an “overweight” rating on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Oppenheimer raised their price objective on Ferguson from $255.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. Finally, Truist Financial raised their price objective on Ferguson from $260.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Ferguson currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $267.27.

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.