Metis Global Partners LLC Has $1.11 Million Stake in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

Metis Global Partners LLC decreased its position in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) by 5.6% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 6,363 shares of the company’s stock after selling 381 shares during the period. Metis Global Partners LLC’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $1,105,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC raised its position in shares of Ferguson by 423.0% during the third quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 1,462,836 shares of the company’s stock valued at $290,475,000 after buying an additional 1,183,143 shares during the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. raised its position in shares of Ferguson by 339.9% during the fourth quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 1,234,776 shares of the company’s stock valued at $214,320,000 after buying an additional 954,092 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. raised its position in shares of Ferguson by 7,632.6% during the fourth quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 677,684 shares of the company’s stock valued at $117,626,000 after buying an additional 668,920 shares during the last quarter. Southpoint Capital Advisors LP raised its position in shares of Ferguson by 133.3% during the third quarter. Southpoint Capital Advisors LP now owns 700,000 shares of the company’s stock valued at $138,999,000 after buying an additional 400,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Barclays PLC raised its position in shares of Ferguson by 76.9% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 867,593 shares of the company’s stock valued at $172,281,000 after buying an additional 377,283 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Price Performance

Shares of Ferguson stock opened at $173.10 on Tuesday. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $34.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.78, a P/E/G ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.24. Ferguson plc has a 1-year low of $167.27 and a 1-year high of $225.63. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $178.05 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $192.92.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 20th were paid a dividend of $0.83 per share. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.92%. This is a boost from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 20th. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio is currently 39.86%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Berenberg Bank upped their target price on shares of Ferguson from $224.00 to $240.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Ferguson from $234.00 to $211.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Ferguson from $215.00 to $205.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of Ferguson from $221.00 to $189.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lowered their target price on shares of Ferguson from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Ferguson has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price 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.