Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) Shares Purchased by Markel Group Inc.

Markel Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) by 25.4% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 106,000 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 21,500 shares during the period. Markel Group Inc. owned approximately 0.05% of Ferguson worth $18,398,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of FERG. True Wealth Design LLC boosted 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 valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 135 shares during the period. Manchester Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Ferguson by 906.7% in the 4th quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 151 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares during the period. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in shares of Ferguson in the 3rd quarter valued at $37,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Ferguson in the 3rd quarter valued at $39,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ferguson in the 3rd quarter valued at $40,000. 81.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $219.00 price target on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. UBS Group reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $193.00 price target (down previously from $230.00) on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on Ferguson in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $204.00 price target for the company. Robert W. Baird decreased their price objective on Ferguson from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Barclays lowered their target price on Ferguson from $234.00 to $211.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Ferguson presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $217.73.

Ferguson Trading Down 1.5 %

Shares of NASDAQ FERG opened at $165.71 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $33.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.89, a PEG ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.28. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $177.22 and a 200 day simple moving average of $191.51. Ferguson plc has a 52 week low of $163.01 and a 52 week high of $225.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 1.68.

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.