Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) Issues Earnings Results

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday. The company reported $1.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.24 by ($0.25), Briefing.com reports. Ferguson had a return on equity of 35.73% and a net margin of 6.28%.The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.52 earnings per share.

Ferguson Trading Down 1.4%

Shares of NYSE:FERG opened at $251.31 on Tuesday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $244.27 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $239.18. Ferguson has a one year low of $146.00 and a one year high of $271.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 1.88 and a quick ratio of 1.01. The stock has a market capitalization of $49.14 billion, a PE ratio of 25.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 1.18.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 6th will be given a dividend of $0.89 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 6th. This represents a $3.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. Ferguson’s payout ratio is 35.96%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Ferguson from $275.00 to $280.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Ferguson in a report on Friday, January 9th. UBS Group dropped their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $225.00 to $220.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on Ferguson from $268.00 to $289.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $253.00.

Institutional Trading of Ferguson

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of FERG. Sivia Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Ferguson in the second quarter valued at $257,000. Cardiff Park Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Ferguson in the third quarter valued at $265,000. Arkadios Wealth Advisors grew its position in shares of Ferguson by 5.5% in the 4th quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 1,222 shares of the company’s stock valued at $272,000 after acquiring an additional 64 shares during the period. Prosperity Consulting Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Ferguson in the 3rd quarter valued at about $316,000. Finally, Caxton Associates LLP acquired a new position in shares of Ferguson during the 1st quarter worth about $310,000. 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.