Aigen Investment Management LP Lowers Stock Position in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

Aigen Investment Management LP lessened its stake in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) by 33.5% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 8,463 shares of the company’s stock after selling 4,267 shares during the quarter. Aigen Investment Management LP’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $1,469,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Manchester Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Ferguson by 906.7% during the fourth quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 151 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its position in shares of 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 in the last quarter. Berbice Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of 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 worth about $37,000. Finally, Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the third quarter worth about $39,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Stock Performance

Shares of FERG opened at $170.42 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. The firm has a market cap of $34.07 billion, a PE ratio of 20.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.28. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $177.74 and its 200-day simple moving average is $192.50. Ferguson plc has a 12-month low of $167.27 and a 12-month high of $225.63.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 20th. This is a positive change from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.95%. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 39.86%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently weighed in on the stock. UBS Group reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $193.00 target price (down previously from $230.00) on shares of Ferguson in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $219.00 target price on shares of Ferguson in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Ferguson from $234.00 to $211.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of Ferguson in a report on Monday, February 3rd. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $204.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Berenberg Bank raised their target price on shares of Ferguson from $224.00 to $240.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $217.73.

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.