Analysts Set Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) Price Target at $230.44

Shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) have been assigned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the ten brokerages that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $230.44.

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on FERG shares. Berenberg Bank lifted their price target on shares of Ferguson from $224.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. UBS Group boosted their target price on Ferguson from $228.00 to $236.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 18th. Barclays cut their price target on Ferguson from $245.00 to $234.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on Ferguson from $203.00 to $221.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 18th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $219.00 target price on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th.

Ferguson Stock Performance

Shares of FERG stock opened at $175.14 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.80. The firm has a market cap of $35.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.03, a P/E/G ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.21. Ferguson has a 52 week low of $172.00 and a 52 week high of $225.63. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $199.49 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $200.69.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 20th will be given a dividend of $0.83 per share. 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 1.90%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 20th. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 39.86%.

Insider Transactions at Ferguson

In related news, SVP Garland Williams sold 1,118 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $201.22, for a total transaction of $224,963.96. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 1,882 shares in the company, valued at $378,696.04. This represents a 37.27 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, insider Ian T. Graham sold 5,778 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $201.27, for a total value of $1,162,938.06. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 5,938 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,195,141.26. This trade represents a 49.32 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 12,313 shares of company stock worth $2,477,901. 0.16% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Ferguson

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Asset Dedication LLC bought a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. True Wealth Design LLC grew its position in shares of Ferguson by 1,350.0% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 145 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 135 shares during the period. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new position in shares of Ferguson in the 3rd quarter worth about $37,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in Ferguson during the 3rd quarter valued at about $39,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new stake in Ferguson during the third quarter worth about $40,000. 81.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Ferguson Company 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.