Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC Has $3.30 Million Holdings in Ferguson plc $FERG

Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) by 82.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 14,268 shares of the company’s stock after selling 66,088 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $3,296,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of FERG. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 23.9% during the first 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 during the last quarter. Caxton Associates LLP acquired a new position in Ferguson during the 1st quarter worth about $310,000. Focus Partners Wealth lifted its position in Ferguson by 22.7% during 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 in the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in Ferguson during the 2nd quarter worth about $257,000. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its position in Ferguson by 151.2% in the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,173 shares of the company’s stock valued at $255,000 after acquiring an additional 706 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

FERG has been the topic of a number of research reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their target price on shares of Ferguson from $268.00 to $289.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of Ferguson from $275.00 to $280.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $225.00 to $245.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Ferguson has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $253.00.

Ferguson Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:FERG opened at $249.35 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $48.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.17, a P/E/G ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 1.18. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $237.73 and its 200 day simple moving average is $234.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 1.88 and a quick ratio of 1.01. Ferguson plc has a fifty-two week low of $146.00 and a fifty-two week high of $256.93.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 9th. The company reported $2.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 during the quarter. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.45 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Investors of record on Friday, January 2nd will be given a $0.89 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 2nd. This represents a $3.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.4%. This is an increase from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio is currently 35.96%.

Ferguson 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.