Markel Group Inc. Has $36.40 Million Position in Ferguson plc $FERG

Markel Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) by 11.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 163,500 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 16,500 shares during the quarter. Markel Group Inc. owned approximately 0.08% of Ferguson worth $36,400,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Global Retirement Partners LLC lifted its stake in Ferguson by 168.3% in the fourth quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 1,210 shares of the company’s stock valued at $269,000 after acquiring an additional 759 shares during the last quarter. Leonteq Securities AG acquired a new stake in Ferguson in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. IFP Advisors Inc raised its position in shares of Ferguson by 114.5% in the fourth quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 429 shares of the company’s stock valued at $96,000 after purchasing an additional 229 shares during the period. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise raised its position in shares of Ferguson by 50.4% in the fourth quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise now owns 9,358 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,083,000 after purchasing an additional 3,137 shares during the period. Finally, Fideuram Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking S.P.A. bought a new position in shares of Ferguson in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,856,000. 81.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ferguson Stock Down 0.2%

Shares of NYSE:FERG opened at $223.37 on Friday. The company’s fifty day moving average is $240.13 and its 200-day moving average is $242.81. The company has a market capitalization of $43.32 billion, a PE ratio of 25.97, a P/E/G ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 1.23. 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 plc has a 52 week low of $176.26 and a 52 week high of $271.64.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 5th. The company reported $2.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.14 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $7.47 billion for the quarter. Ferguson had a net margin of 6.98% and a return on equity of 38.92%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 3.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.50 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Ferguson plc will post 11.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.89 per share. This represents a $3.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 15th. Ferguson’s payout ratio is currently 41.40%.

Ferguson announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase plan on Tuesday, May 5th that authorizes the company to repurchase $2.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to purchase up to 3.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are often an indication that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on FERG shares. Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of Ferguson from $260.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $300.00 target price on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Tuesday, February 24th. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Ferguson from $220.00 to $252.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. Citigroup reaffirmed a “neutral” rating on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Wednesday, May 6th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Ferguson from $260.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 6th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Ferguson has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $269.73.

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.