Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) Holdings Reduced by New York State Common Retirement Fund

New York State Common Retirement Fund decreased its position in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) by 12.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 144,153 shares of the company’s stock after selling 21,037 shares during the period. New York State Common Retirement Fund owned approximately 0.07% of Ferguson worth $25,021,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its position in Ferguson by 32.5% in the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 32,025 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,359,000 after purchasing an additional 7,862 shares during the last quarter. Neo Ivy Capital Management bought a new position in Ferguson in the 3rd quarter worth about $970,000. Clean Yield Group grew its position in Ferguson by 27.1% in the 4th quarter. Clean Yield Group now owns 25,959 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,506,000 after purchasing an additional 5,534 shares during the last quarter. Entropy Technologies LP grew its position in Ferguson by 66.2% in the 3rd quarter. Entropy Technologies LP now owns 51,647 shares of the company’s stock worth $10,256,000 after purchasing an additional 20,580 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Eagle Asset Management Inc. grew its position in Ferguson by 79.6% in the 3rd quarter. Eagle Asset Management Inc. now owns 646,954 shares of the company’s stock worth $134,217,000 after purchasing an additional 286,691 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Stock Down 2.0 %

FERG stock opened at $175.90 on Friday. Ferguson plc has a 12 month low of $167.27 and a 12 month high of $225.63. The firm has a market cap of $35.17 billion, a PE ratio of 21.12, a P/E/G ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 1.24. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $178.64 and a 200 day simple moving average of $194.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 0.91.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 6th. Investors of record on Friday, December 20th were paid a dividend of $0.83 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 20th. This is a positive change from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.89%. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio is currently 39.86%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $219.00 price target on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Berenberg Bank upped their price target on shares of Ferguson from $224.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Bank of America raised shares of Ferguson from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their price target for the stock from $185.00 to $225.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Ferguson from $215.00 to $205.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Ferguson from $234.00 to $211.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $217.73.

Ferguson Company Profile

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.