Westerkirk Capital Inc. Has $5.54 Million Stock Holdings in Ferguson plc $FERG

Westerkirk Capital Inc. raised its stake in Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) by 42.6% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 24,671 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 7,371 shares during the quarter. Westerkirk Capital Inc.’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $5,541,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 178.3% in the 3rd quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 128 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC increased its holdings in Ferguson by 145.3% during the second 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 last quarter. Quent Capital LLC acquired a new position in Ferguson during the third quarter worth $43,000. Harbour Investments Inc. raised its position in Ferguson by 61.3% during the second quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 242 shares of the company’s stock worth $53,000 after acquiring an additional 92 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AdvisorShares Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Ferguson in the second quarter valued at $58,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Stock Down 1.1%

Ferguson stock opened at $255.08 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $49.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.77, a P/E/G ratio of 2.12 and a beta of 1.18. 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 plc has a twelve month low of $146.00 and a twelve month high of $271.64. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $243.75 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $238.89.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 9th. The company reported $2.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.77 by $0.07. Ferguson had a return on equity of 35.73% and a net margin of 6.28%.The company had revenue of $8.17 billion during the quarter. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.45 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis.

Ferguson Dividend Announcement

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $237.00 to $246.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Ferguson from $275.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, Barclays lifted their target price on Ferguson from $267.00 to $278.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Ferguson has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $253.00.

Trending Headlines about Ferguson

Here are the key news stories impacting Ferguson this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Ferguson plc declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.89 per share (record date Mar 6, payable Apr 30; ex-dividend Mar 6). The payout boosts shareholder income and supports the stock’s yield profile (reported yield ~1.4%).
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts maintain a favorable view: consensus rating reported as “Moderate Buy,” which may underpin demand from income and growth-focused investors. Ferguson plc Given Consensus Recommendation of Moderate Buy
• Neutral Sentiment: Most headlines in the feed relate to Sarah Ferguson (ex-wife of Prince Andrew) — a cluster of celebrity/royal scandal stories and business closures tied to her name. These are unrelated to Ferguson plc’s operations and fundamentals but can create short-term name confusion in news/social feeds. Representative long-form coverage: Tainted by Scandal, the Former Prince’s Ex-wife and Daughters Keep a Low Profile
• Neutral Sentiment: Several outlets report dissolutions/closures of businesses linked to Sarah Ferguson; again, this concerns an individual and her private ventures, not Ferguson plc. Example: six businesses reportedly closing. Six businesses linked to former Prince Andrew’s ex-wife to close
• Neutral Sentiment: A separate local policy item mentions “Ferguson and Republicans want a sales tax exemption on diapers in Washington.” This appears to refer to a legislator or local actor, not Ferguson plc; relevance to the company’s US operations is unclear. Ferguson and Republicans want a sales tax exemption on diapers

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.