Cantillon Capital Management LLC Lowers Position in Ferguson plc $FERG

Cantillon Capital Management LLC cut its position in shares of Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 1,969,891 shares of the company’s stock after selling 21,670 shares during the period. Ferguson accounts for about 2.4% of Cantillon Capital Management LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th biggest holding. Cantillon Capital Management LLC’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $442,398,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in FERG. True Wealth Design LLC grew its position in shares of Ferguson by 145.3% in the 2nd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 130 shares of the company’s stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 77 shares during the period. Hemington Wealth Management lifted its position in Ferguson by 51.5% during the 2nd quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 153 shares of the company’s stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 52 shares during the period. Fifth Third Bancorp boosted its stake in Ferguson by 230.8% during the second quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 172 shares of the company’s stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 120 shares in the last quarter. Maseco LLP purchased a new stake in Ferguson in the second quarter worth about $40,000. Finally, Quent Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Ferguson in the third quarter worth about $43,000. Institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Trading Up 1.0%

Ferguson stock opened at $251.93 on Friday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $236.82 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $233.63. The company has a market cap of $49.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.45, a P/E/G ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 1.18. Ferguson plc has a 52-week low of $146.00 and a 52-week high of $256.93. The company has a quick ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 1.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 9th. The company reported $2.84 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.77 by $0.07. The firm 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%. Ferguson’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.45 EPS.

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 $0.89 dividend. This is a positive change from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 2nd. This represents a $3.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.4%. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 35.96%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently weighed in on FERG. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Friday, January 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Ferguson from $225.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on Ferguson from $268.00 to $289.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Barclays lifted 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. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Ferguson from $275.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $253.00.

Ferguson Company Profile

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.