Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) Shares Sold by WCM Investment Management LLC

WCM Investment Management LLC reduced its position in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) by 0.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 805,533 shares of the company’s stock after selling 778 shares during the period. WCM Investment Management LLC owned 0.40% of Ferguson worth $139,824,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Asset Dedication LLC acquired a new stake in Ferguson during the third quarter worth about $27,000. True Wealth Design LLC increased its position in Ferguson by 1,350.0% during the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 145 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. Berbice Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Ferguson during the fourth quarter worth about $35,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the third quarter valued at about $37,000. Finally, Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the third quarter valued at about $39,000. 81.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have weighed in on FERG. Oppenheimer began coverage on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Wednesday, October 23rd. They set an “outperform” rating and a $234.00 price target for the company. Berenberg Bank lifted their price target on shares of Ferguson from $224.00 to $240.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Citigroup dropped their price target on shares of Ferguson from $221.00 to $189.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. UBS Group reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $193.00 price target (down from $230.00) on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $215.00 to $205.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Ferguson presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $217.73.

Ferguson Stock Down 2.8 %

Shares of Ferguson stock opened at $177.25 on Friday. Ferguson plc has a 52-week low of $167.27 and a 52-week high of $225.63. The company has a 50 day moving average of $183.74 and a 200 day moving average of $196.15. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. The company has a market capitalization of $35.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.21, a P/E/G ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 1.24.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 20th were given a dividend of $0.83 per share. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.87%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 20th. This is an increase from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. Ferguson’s payout ratio is currently 39.86%.

About Ferguson

Ferguson plc distributes plumbing and heating products in the United States and Canada. It offers plumbing and heating solutions to customers in the residential, commercial, civil/infrastructure, and industrial end markets. The company also provides expertise, solutions, and products, including infrastructure, plumbing, appliances, fire, fabrication, and others, as well as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning products under the Ferguson brand name.