Neo Ivy Capital Management Invests $2.52 Million in Ferguson plc $FERG

Neo Ivy Capital Management bought a new stake in Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 11,206 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,517,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. increased its stake in Ferguson by 23.9% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 15,262 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,445,000 after purchasing an additional 2,940 shares during the period. Caxton Associates LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the first quarter valued at about $310,000. Focus Partners Wealth boosted its stake in shares of Ferguson by 22.7% during the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 3,140 shares of the company’s stock worth $503,000 after buying an additional 581 shares during the period. Sivia Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the second quarter worth about $257,000. Finally, Arkadios Wealth Advisors purchased a new position in shares of Ferguson during the second quarter worth about $238,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Trading Down 3.9%

Shares of FERG stock opened at $230.52 on Friday. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $248.66 and its 200 day moving average price is $240.56. The firm has a market capitalization of $44.84 billion, a PE ratio of 23.28, a P/E/G ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 1.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 1.88 and a quick ratio of 1.01. Ferguson plc has a 1-year low of $146.00 and a 1-year high of $271.64.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 24th. The company reported $1.99 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.24 by ($0.25). Ferguson had a net margin of 6.28% and a return on equity of 35.73%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.52 earnings per share.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed 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 dividend yield of 1.5%. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 35.96%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

FERG has been the topic of several recent research reports. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on Ferguson from $262.00 to $265.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Barclays increased their price objective on Ferguson from $278.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. Oppenheimer boosted their target price on Ferguson from $255.00 to $280.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 25th. Wall Street Zen cut Ferguson from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, January 10th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Ferguson in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $262.62.

Key Headlines Impacting Ferguson

Here are the key news stories impacting Ferguson this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks upgraded Ferguson to a Rank #2 (Buy), citing improved earnings prospects — a near-term positive catalyst that could attract buyers and support the stock. All You Need to Know About Ferguson plc (FERG) Rating Upgrade to Buy
• Neutral Sentiment: Multiple high-profile media stories reference “Ferguson” (largely about Sarah, Duchess of York) — these unrelated headlines can create name-driven search and social media noise but are not company-specific fundamentals. Example coverage: ‘Loose Cannon’ Sarah Ferguson Could Expose Royal Family Secrets, Experts Warn and How Sarah Ferguson’s $475K Divorce Payout Made Her ‘Desperate for Money’
• Negative Sentiment: Ferguson reported Q3 EPS of $1.99 on 2/24, missing the consensus of $2.24 (a $0.25 shortfall). That earnings miss is the primary driver of downward pressure — despite solid return on equity (~35.7%) and positive margin trends, the EPS miss and the stock trading below its 50- and 200-day moving averages have prompted selling. (Company results referenced from recent earnings release.)

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.