Silvant Capital Management LLC Has $7.21 Million Stock Position in Ferguson plc $FERG

Silvant Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) by 61.4% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 30,365 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 11,554 shares during the quarter. Silvant Capital Management LLC’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $7,207,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of FERG. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. boosted its holdings in Ferguson by 23.9% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 15,262 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,445,000 after purchasing an additional 2,940 shares during the period. Caxton Associates LLP acquired a new stake in Ferguson in the 1st quarter worth $310,000. Focus Partners Wealth increased its holdings in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 581 shares during the period. Sivia Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Ferguson during the 2nd quarter worth about $257,000. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. raised its position in shares of Ferguson by 7.5% during the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 690 shares of the company’s stock valued at $150,000 after buying an additional 48 shares during the last quarter. 81.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on FERG shares. Citigroup reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Wednesday, May 6th. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on Ferguson from $285.00 to $288.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut Ferguson from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and cut their price target for the company from $315.00 to $265.00 in a report on Monday, July 6th. Zelman & Associates upgraded Ferguson from a “hold” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $285.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Finally, Oppenheimer lifted their price objective on Ferguson from $280.00 to $288.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $285.93.

Ferguson Trading Down 1.4%

Shares of FERG stock opened at $239.83 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $236.94 and a 200-day moving average of $240.49. The stock has a market cap of $46.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.18, a P/E/G ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.14. Ferguson plc has a 52-week low of $207.64 and a 52-week high of $271.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a current ratio of 1.73.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) last issued its earnings results on Monday, August 10th. The company reported $3.39 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.23 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $8.75 billion for the quarter. Ferguson had a net margin of 6.82% and a return on equity of 37.24%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Ferguson plc will post 11.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Ferguson announced that its board has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Tuesday, May 5th that authorizes the company to repurchase $2.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to purchase up to 3.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally an indication that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

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

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.