Entropy Technologies LP Sells 23,312 Shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

Entropy Technologies LP decreased its position in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) by 45.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 28,335 shares of the company’s stock after selling 23,312 shares during the quarter. Entropy Technologies LP’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $4,918,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in FERG. Asset Dedication LLC bought a new position in Ferguson during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. True Wealth Design LLC raised its holdings in Ferguson by 1,350.0% during the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 145 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. Berbice Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the 4th quarter valued at $35,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the 3rd quarter valued at $37,000. Finally, Peterson Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the 3rd quarter valued at $39,000. Institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Zelman & Associates lowered shares of Ferguson from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, January 17th. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $234.00 to $211.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $204.00 price target for the company. Oppenheimer initiated coverage on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Wednesday, October 23rd. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $234.00 price target for the company. Finally, Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on shares of Ferguson from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Ferguson has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $217.73.

Ferguson Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:FERG opened at $177.25 on Friday. The company’s 50-day moving average is $183.74 and its 200 day moving average is $196.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 1.68. The company has a market capitalization of $35.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 1.24. Ferguson plc has a fifty-two week low of $167.27 and a fifty-two week high of $225.63.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 6th. Investors of record on Friday, December 20th were paid a $0.83 dividend. This is a boost from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.87%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 20th. Ferguson’s payout ratio is currently 39.86%.

Ferguson Profile

Ferguson plc distributes plumbing and heating products in the United States and Canada. It offers plumbing and heating solutions to customers in the residential, commercial, civil/infrastructure, and industrial end markets. The company also provides expertise, solutions, and products, including infrastructure, plumbing, appliances, fire, fabrication, and others, as well as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning products under the Ferguson brand name.