Ferguson plc $FERG Shares Sold by Voya Investment Management LLC

Voya Investment Management LLC decreased its holdings in Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) by 34.5% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 17,038 shares of the company’s stock after selling 8,974 shares during the period. Voya Investment Management LLC’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $3,826,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Smithfield Trust Co grew its holdings in Ferguson by 3.5% in the second quarter. Smithfield Trust Co now owns 1,342 shares of the company’s stock valued at $291,000 after purchasing an additional 46 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 7.5% in the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 690 shares of the company’s stock valued at $150,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the last quarter. Hemington Wealth Management boosted its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 51.5% in the 2nd quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 153 shares of the company’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 52 shares during the last quarter. Compound Planning Inc. grew its stake in shares of Ferguson by 4.6% during the 1st quarter. Compound Planning Inc. now owns 1,386 shares of the company’s stock valued at $222,000 after buying an additional 61 shares during the period. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC increased its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 145.3% during 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 last quarter. 81.98% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO William Brundage sold 3,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $233.32, for a total value of $699,960.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 52,631 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,279,864.92. The trade was a 5.39% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Ian T. Graham sold 4,864 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $233.22, for a total value of $1,134,382.08. Following the sale, the insider owned 7,769 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,811,886.18. This trade represents a 38.50% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 29,264 shares of company stock worth $6,853,349 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.18% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Stock Performance

Ferguson stock opened at $228.42 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $44.67 billion, a PE ratio of 23.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 1.17. Ferguson plc has a one year low of $146.00 and a one year high of $256.93. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $241.14 and its 200 day moving average price is $231.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a current ratio of 1.68.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 9th. The company reported $2.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.77 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $8.17 billion for the quarter. Ferguson had a net margin of 6.28% and a return on equity of 36.42%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.45 EPS.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 2nd will be issued a $0.89 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 2nd. This represents a $3.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.6%. This is an increase from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 33.54%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on FERG shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Ferguson from $225.00 to $245.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Wednesday, September 10th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Ferguson from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, December 20th. Oppenheimer lifted their price target on shares of Ferguson from $235.00 to $255.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 17th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective 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 analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $250.47.

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.