Short Interest in Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) Drops By 34.2%

Ferguson plc (NYSE:FERG) was the target of a significant decline in short interest during the month of February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 1,792,417 shares, a decline of 34.2% from the February 12th total of 2,725,062 shares. Approximately 0.9% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,622,371 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.1 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,622,371 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.1 days. Approximately 0.9% of the company’s stock are sold short.

Ferguson Stock Performance

Shares of FERG stock traded up $2.34 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $222.07. The company had a trading volume of 1,092,690 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,455,257. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a current ratio of 1.88. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $248.85 and a 200-day moving average price of $240.38. Ferguson has a one year low of $146.00 and a one year high of $271.64. The firm has a market cap of $43.19 billion, a PE ratio of 21.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 1.17.

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

Ferguson Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 6th will be issued a dividend of $0.89 per share. This represents a $3.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 6th. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio is presently 35.96%.

Institutional Trading of Ferguson

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Basepoint Wealth LLC bought a new position in Ferguson in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Leonteq Securities AG bought a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division purchased a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new position in shares of Ferguson in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Cornerstone Planning Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Ferguson by 178.3% in the 3rd quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 128 shares of the company’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

More Ferguson News

Here are the key news stories impacting Ferguson this week:

• Neutral Sentiment: Rebecca Ferguson (actor) confirms return window for Apple TV+ series “Silo” — entertainment press about the actress, not the company. Collider: Rebecca Ferguson on Silo
• Neutral Sentiment: Multiple outlets report Rebecca Ferguson discussing “Silo” Season 3 and Dune: Part 3 details — actor/entertainment coverage, unrelated to Ferguson plc. AOL: Silo Season 3
• Neutral Sentiment: Rebecca Ferguson appears on late-night TV (Seth Meyers) — celebrity appearance, no corporate link. MSN: Seth Meyers & Rebecca Ferguson
• Neutral Sentiment: Celebrity coverage of Sarah Ferguson (Duchess of York) — various human-interest and controversy stories (public apologies, social ties, living arrangements). These are reputational/celebrity items with no corporate relevance. Yahoo: Sarah Ferguson and Epstein
• Neutral Sentiment: Stories comparing Meghan Markle to Sarah Ferguson and articles about Priscilla Presley and Sarah Ferguson — entertainment/viral coverage, not company news. MSN: Meghan Markle comparison
• Neutral Sentiment: Reports on Sarah Ferguson’s personal comments about other celebrities and alleged tensions with the royal family — tabloid/celebrity reporting, no corporate implications. MSN: Sarah Ferguson on Lisa Marie Presley
• Neutral Sentiment: Sports feature on Brighton’s Evan Ferguson (soccer) — player/club coverage, not related to Ferguson plc’s business. NYT: Evan Ferguson feature

Analyst Ratings Changes

FERG has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Ferguson in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Truist Financial upped their price objective on Ferguson from $260.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $300.00 target price on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Tuesday, February 24th. Wall Street Zen lowered Ferguson from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, January 10th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price target on Ferguson from $220.00 to $252.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 25th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Ferguson presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $268.93.

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.