Analysts Set Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) PT at $268.93

Shares of Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) have been assigned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the seventeen research firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1-year target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $268.9327.

FERG has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $300.00 price target on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Tuesday, February 24th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Morgan Stanley reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Ferguson from $278.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 25th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target on shares of Ferguson from $247.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 24th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ferguson

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in FERG. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 23.9% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 15,262 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,445,000 after purchasing an additional 2,940 shares in the last quarter. Caxton Associates LLP purchased a new position in shares of Ferguson during the 1st quarter valued at about $310,000. Focus Partners Wealth lifted its position in Ferguson by 22.7% in the 1st 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 last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in Ferguson in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $257,000. Finally, AE Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Ferguson in the second quarter worth approximately $300,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Trading Up 0.1%

Ferguson stock opened at $217.83 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a current ratio of 1.88. Ferguson has a fifty-two week low of $146.00 and a fifty-two week high of $271.64. The stock has a market cap of $42.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.00, a PEG ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 1.17. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $248.10 and its 200-day moving average price is $239.98.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 24th. The company reported $1.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.24 by ($0.25). Ferguson had a net margin of 6.93% and a return on equity of 40.37%. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.52 EPS. Ferguson’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.6% on a year-over-year basis.

Ferguson Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Investors of record on Friday, March 6th will be given a $0.89 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 6th. This represents a $3.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. Ferguson’s payout ratio is 35.96%.

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.