Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) Stock Rating Lowered by Wall Street Zen

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) was downgraded by research analysts at Wall Street Zen from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report released on Saturday.

FERG has been the topic of several other reports. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Ferguson from $273.00 to $267.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Ferguson from $275.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on Ferguson from $262.00 to $265.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Ferguson from $225.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an “overweight” rating on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Ferguson has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $252.31.

Ferguson Trading Up 4.0%

NYSE FERG opened at $238.54 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $46.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.10, a PEG ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 1.18. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $237.17 and a 200 day simple moving average of $232.14. Ferguson has a 12 month low of $146.00 and a 12 month high of $256.93. The company has a current ratio of 1.88, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68.

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, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.77 by $0.07. Ferguson had a net margin of 6.28% and a return on equity of 35.73%. The firm had revenue of $8.17 billion for the quarter. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.45 earnings per share. Ferguson’s revenue was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CAO Richard Winckler sold 1,034 shares of Ferguson stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $232.70, for a total value of $240,611.80. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 1,458 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $339,276.60. This trade represents a 41.49% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Ian T. Graham sold 606 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $239.33, for a total transaction of $145,033.98. Following the transaction, the insider owned 7,714 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,846,191.62. This represents a 7.28% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 4,723 shares of company stock valued at $1,116,624. 0.18% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ferguson

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division bought a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 145.3% in 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 in the last quarter. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new position in shares of Ferguson in the third quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC grew its stake in Ferguson by 178.3% during the third quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 128 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Grove Bank & Trust increased its holdings in Ferguson by 154.4% during the 4th quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 145 shares of the company’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 88 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

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.