Ferguson plc $FERG Stake Raised by Jain Global LLC

Jain Global LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) by 59.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 39,531 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 14,770 shares during the period. Jain Global LLC’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $8,878,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in FERG. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 178.3% during the third quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 128 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares during the period. Johnson Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the third quarter valued at about $34,000. Quent Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Ferguson in the third quarter worth about $43,000. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB lifted its holdings in Ferguson by 21.7% in the third quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 292 shares of the company’s stock worth $66,000 after purchasing an additional 52 shares during the period. Finally, CX Institutional grew its position in Ferguson by 9,900.0% in the 3rd quarter. CX Institutional now owns 300 shares of the company’s stock valued at $67,000 after buying an additional 297 shares in the last quarter. 81.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting Ferguson

Here are the key news stories impacting Ferguson this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Definitive proxy and transition filings — The company filed a Definitive Proxy Statement, additional proxy soliciting material and a Transition Report with the SEC; investors often view this as a catalyst because it increases clarity around board/management changes and can lead to actions that unlock value (or a negotiated settlement). Ferguson Files Definitive Proxy Materials and Transition Report
• Neutral Sentiment: Entertainment headlines using the “Ferguson” name (Rebecca Ferguson, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Sarah Ferguson, Tony Ferguson) are unrelated to Ferguson plc’s business and are not material to FERG’s fundamentals or near‑term stock moves. Example: Rebecca Ferguson streaming success on Apple TV. Rebecca Ferguson’s 2-Part Sci-Fi Masterpiece Surges on Apple TV’s Streaming Charts
• Neutral Sentiment: Other celebrity press (multiple items about actors and public figures named Ferguson) is noise for investors in Ferguson plc and unlikely to move the stock. (See the list of entertainment links provided with the raw feed.)
• Negative Sentiment: Recent operating/earnings backdrop — Ferguson missed consensus EPS in its Feb. 24 quarter (reported $1.99 vs. $2.24 expected) and revenue growth was modest; the stock is trading below both its 50‑day and 200‑day moving averages, a technical headwind that could limit upside absent clear governance/strategic outcomes.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have commented on FERG shares. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Ferguson from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, January 10th. Truist Financial increased their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $260.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 25th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Ferguson from $280.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 25th. Finally, UBS Group upped their target price on Ferguson from $220.00 to $252.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research 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 four have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Ferguson has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $268.93.

Ferguson Price Performance

Shares of NYSE FERG opened at $223.65 on Tuesday. Ferguson plc has a twelve month low of $146.00 and a twelve month high of $271.64. The company has a current ratio of 1.88, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The company has a market capitalization of $43.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.59, a PEG ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 1.17. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $248.77 and a two-hundred day moving average of $240.40.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 24th. The company reported $1.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.24 by ($0.25). Ferguson had a return on equity of 40.37% and a net margin of 6.93%.During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.52 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year.

Ferguson Dividend Announcement

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 $0.89 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 6th. This represents a $3.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. Ferguson’s payout ratio is 35.96%.

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.