M&T Bank Corp Grows Stock Holdings in Ferguson plc $FERG

M&T Bank Corp raised its stake in Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) by 281.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 24,859 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 18,346 shares during the period. M&T Bank Corp’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $5,534,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Atria Investments Inc boosted its position in Ferguson by 38.2% in the 3rd quarter. Atria Investments Inc now owns 15,401 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,459,000 after buying an additional 4,259 shares during the period. Rakuten Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Ferguson in the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,002,000. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd boosted its position in Ferguson by 11.7% in the 3rd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 20,523 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,609,000 after buying an additional 2,145 shares during the period. Kinetic Partners Management LP boosted its position in Ferguson by 53.4% in the 3rd quarter. Kinetic Partners Management LP now owns 349,000 shares of the company’s stock valued at $78,378,000 after buying an additional 121,500 shares during the period. Finally, C WorldWide Group Holding A S boosted its position in Ferguson by 108.8% in the 3rd quarter. C WorldWide Group Holding A S now owns 535,363 shares of the company’s stock valued at $120,232,000 after buying an additional 278,971 shares during the period. 81.98% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Ferguson Trading Down 0.3%

NYSE FERG opened at $252.13 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 1.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The firm has a market cap of $49.01 billion, a PE ratio of 25.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $243.90 and a 200 day moving average price of $244.02. Ferguson plc has a 52 week low of $166.04 and a 52 week high of $271.64.

Ferguson (NYSE:FERG) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 5th. The company reported $2.28 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.14 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $7.47 billion during the quarter. Ferguson had a net margin of 6.98% and a return on equity of 38.92%. The company’s revenue was up 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.50 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Ferguson plc will post 11.2 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Ferguson declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback plan on Tuesday, May 5th that authorizes the company to buyback $2.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to buy up to 3.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are generally a sign that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

Ferguson Announces Dividend

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

FERG has been the subject of several research reports. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Ferguson from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Monday, April 20th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $260.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday. UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $220.00 to $252.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped 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. Finally, Citigroup reaffirmed a “neutral” rating on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Wednesday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Ferguson has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $269.60.

Key Stories Impacting Ferguson

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 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.