Ferguson plc $FERG Stock Holdings Increased by Sone Capital Management LLC

Sone Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) by 18.9% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 119,297 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 18,965 shares during the quarter. Ferguson accounts for 2.2% of Sone Capital Management LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 8th biggest position. Sone Capital Management LLC owned approximately 0.06% of Ferguson worth $28,313,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Simplicity Wealth LLC grew its position in Ferguson by 1.6% during the 4th quarter. Simplicity Wealth LLC now owns 3,132 shares of the company’s stock worth $697,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the period. Sivia Capital Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 2.9% in the 4th quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,685 shares of the company’s stock valued at $375,000 after buying an additional 48 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its stake in shares of Ferguson by 7.5% in the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 690 shares of the company’s stock worth $150,000 after buying an additional 48 shares during the last quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Ferguson by 13.4% in the fourth quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC now owns 431 shares of the company’s stock worth $96,000 after buying an additional 51 shares during the last quarter. Finally, L2 Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in Ferguson by 5.2% during the second quarter. L2 Asset Management LLC now owns 1,109 shares of the company’s stock worth $263,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. 81.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ferguson Stock Performance

Shares of FERG stock opened at $236.11 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. Ferguson plc has a 12-month low of $207.64 and a 12-month high of $271.64. The business’s 50 day moving average is $237.19 and its two-hundred day moving average is $240.24. The company has a market capitalization of $45.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.75, a P/E/G ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 1.14.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 10th. The company reported $3.39 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.23 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $8.75 billion during the quarter. Ferguson had a return on equity of 37.24% and a net margin of 6.82%. Analysts expect that Ferguson plc will post 11.42 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Ferguson announced that its board has initiated a stock buyback program on Tuesday, May 5th that permits the company to repurchase $2.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to repurchase up to 3.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often an indication that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

Ferguson Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 7th. Investors of record on Friday, August 21st will be given a dividend of $0.89 per share. This represents a $3.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.5%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 21st. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio is 41.83%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

FERG has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Zelman & Associates raised Ferguson from a “hold” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $285.00 price target for the company in a report on Friday, July 17th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $281.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on shares of Ferguson from $285.00 to $288.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Ferguson from $285.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Ferguson from $252.00 to $256.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Ferguson currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $285.93.

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.