GHP Investment Advisors Inc. Increases Stock Position in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

GHP Investment Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) by 3.0% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 40,469 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,177 shares during the period. GHP Investment Advisors Inc.’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $7,024,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of FERG. Asset Dedication LLC purchased a new position in Ferguson during the third quarter worth $27,000. True Wealth Design LLC boosted its stake 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 valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in Ferguson during the 3rd quarter worth about $37,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in Ferguson in the 3rd quarter valued at about $39,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new position in Ferguson in the 3rd quarter valued at about $40,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Stock Up 2.0 %

FERG opened at $183.31 on Thursday. Ferguson plc has a 1 year low of $167.27 and a 1 year high of $225.63. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $185.14 and a 200 day moving average price of $196.59. 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 cap of $36.65 billion, a PE ratio of 19.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 1.24.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 20th will be given a $0.83 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 20th. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.81%. This is a positive change from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio is presently 39.86%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $234.00 to $211.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on Ferguson in a report on Monday. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $204.00 price target for the company. UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating and set a $193.00 price objective (down previously from $230.00) on shares of Ferguson in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $219.00 target price on shares of Ferguson in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Bank of America upgraded Ferguson from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their target price for the stock from $185.00 to $225.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Ferguson currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $217.73.

About Ferguson

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.