SG Americas Securities LLC Has $63.53 Million Stock Position in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

SG Americas Securities LLC increased its position in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) by 910.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 366,015 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 329,786 shares during the quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC owned about 0.18% of Ferguson worth $63,529,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Asset Dedication LLC bought a new position in Ferguson during the third quarter valued at $27,000. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its position in shares of Ferguson by 1,350.0% during the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 145 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the third quarter worth $37,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the third quarter worth $39,000. Finally, Reston Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the third quarter worth $40,000. 81.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ferguson Trading Up 2.0 %

Shares of NASDAQ:FERG opened at $185.97 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. The company’s 50 day moving average is $190.09 and its two-hundred day moving average is $198.00. The company has a market cap of $37.18 billion, a PE ratio of 19.22, a P/E/G ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 1.24. Ferguson plc has a 52 week low of $167.27 and a 52 week high of $225.63.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 20th will be paid a $0.83 dividend. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.79%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 20th. This is a boost from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 39.86%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on FERG. Robert W. Baird reduced their price objective on Ferguson from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Zelman & Associates lowered shares of Ferguson from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, January 17th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $219.00 price objective on shares of Ferguson in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Bank of America upgraded shares of Ferguson from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $185.00 to $225.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $234.00 to $211.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $220.10.

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.