Robeco Schweiz AG Trims Holdings in Ferguson plc $FERG

Robeco Schweiz AG reduced its stake in Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) by 18.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 250,574 shares of the company’s stock after selling 56,578 shares during the quarter. Ferguson accounts for 1.2% of Robeco Schweiz AG’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest position. Robeco Schweiz AG’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $55,785,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in FERG. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division purchased a new stake in Ferguson in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new position in shares of Ferguson during the third quarter worth $28,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Ferguson by 178.3% in the third quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 128 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Grove Bank & Trust raised its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 154.4% in the 4th quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 145 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 88 shares during the period. Finally, Johnson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the 3rd quarter valued at $34,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

FERG has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Ferguson from $260.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target on shares of Ferguson from $271.00 to $281.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Ferguson from $220.00 to $252.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 25th. Finally, Truist Financial increased their target price on shares of Ferguson from $260.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 25th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Ferguson has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $269.60.

Key Ferguson News

Here are the key news stories impacting Ferguson this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Wells Fargo raised its price target to $285 and upgraded Ferguson to “overweight,” implying ~13% upside from current levels — a supportive analyst signal for momentum. Wells Fargo raises price target
• Positive Sentiment: Board approved a $2.0 billion share repurchase program (up to ~3.9% of shares outstanding), a strong capital-return move that typically supports share price and signals management confidence. Ferguson approves $2B buyback
• Positive Sentiment: Q1 results topped estimates: EPS $2.28 vs. consensus $2.14, revenue $7.47B (+3.6% YoY). Management highlighted non-residential strength and cash generation that funds growth and buybacks. These operational beats are a primary reason investors are bullish. Ferguson reports Q1 results
• Positive Sentiment: Ferguson formed a strategic alliance with Contractor Commerce to help contractor customers modernize e‑commerce and drive digital sales — incremental revenue/retention opportunity over time. Strategic alliance with Contractor Commerce
• Neutral Sentiment: Ferguson filed its Form 10‑Q (Q1) and an 8‑K; routine SEC filings that provide detail but don’t fundamentally change the story. Investors should read the 10‑Q for any updates to guidance or one‑time items. Ferguson files Form 10-Q
• Neutral Sentiment: Management/insider share vesting disclosures were filed (restricted stock units vested for directors/PDMRs) — standard reporting that can modestly increase tradable float if shares are sold. Director/PDMR shareholding notice
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst coverage remains broadly constructive (average rating around “Moderate Buy”), which supports medium‑term investor sentiment but is not a catalyst by itself. Brokerage coverage summary
• Neutral Sentiment: Local municipal headlines (Ferguson city council rejecting a tax abatement/data‑center proposal) are likely unrelated to Ferguson plc’s operations and are not expected to materially affect the stock. City council rejects tax abatement

Ferguson Price Performance

Shares of NYSE FERG opened at $252.13 on Thursday. 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 company has a market cap of $49.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.23. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $243.90 and its two-hundred day moving average is $244.02. Ferguson plc has a 1-year low of $166.04 and a 1-year high of $271.64.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 5th. The company reported $2.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.14 by $0.14. Ferguson had a return on equity of 38.92% and a net margin of 6.98%.The business had revenue of $7.47 billion during the quarter. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.50 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts forecast that Ferguson plc will post 11.2 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 8th. Investors of record on Friday, May 15th will be paid a $0.89 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 15th. This represents a $3.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.4%. Ferguson’s payout ratio is currently 35.96%.

Ferguson announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback plan 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 plans are often a sign that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

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.