Amundi Acquires 152,169 Shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

Amundi increased its holdings in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) by 10.0% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,678,292 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 152,169 shares during the quarter. Amundi owned about 0.84% of Ferguson worth $289,277,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Manchester Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Ferguson by 906.7% in the 4th quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 151 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC grew its stake in shares of Ferguson by 1,350.0% during the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 145 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 135 shares during the period. Berbice Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the 4th quarter valued at about $35,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the 3rd quarter valued at about $37,000. Finally, Peterson Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the 3rd quarter valued at about $39,000. 81.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Ferguson Stock Up 0.7 %

NASDAQ FERG opened at $168.15 on Friday. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $177.38 and its 200 day moving average is $191.95. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. Ferguson plc has a 12 month low of $163.01 and a 12 month high of $225.63. The stock has a market cap of $33.62 billion, a PE ratio of 20.19, a P/E/G ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.28.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 6th. Investors of record on Friday, December 20th were issued a $0.83 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 20th. This is a boost from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.97%. Ferguson’s payout ratio is currently 39.86%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on Ferguson in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. They set an “overweight” rating and a $204.00 price target for the company. Zelman & Associates downgraded Ferguson from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, January 17th. UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating and set a $193.00 price target (down from $230.00) on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Barclays cut their price target on Ferguson from $234.00 to $211.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and set a $219.00 price target on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $217.73.

About Ferguson

Ferguson plc distributes plumbing and heating products in the United States and Canada. It offers plumbing and heating solutions to customers in the residential, commercial, civil/infrastructure, and industrial end markets. The company also provides expertise, solutions, and products, including infrastructure, plumbing, appliances, fire, fabrication, and others, as well as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning products under the Ferguson brand name.