DGS Capital Management LLC Reduces Stock Holdings in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

DGS Capital Management LLC lessened its stake in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) by 16.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,881 shares of the company’s stock after selling 362 shares during the period. DGS Capital Management LLC’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $326,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Ferguson by 1.8% in the third quarter. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC now owns 3,307 shares of the company’s stock valued at $657,000 after acquiring an additional 57 shares during the period. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Ferguson by 3.2% during the 3rd quarter. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,952 shares of the company’s stock valued at $388,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its position in Ferguson by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 23,834 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,137,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares during the period. Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Ferguson by 33.8% in the third quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 364 shares of the company’s stock worth $72,000 after purchasing an additional 92 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Commerce Bank boosted its position in shares of Ferguson by 3.8% during the third quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 2,666 shares of the company’s stock valued at $529,000 after buying an additional 97 shares during the period. 81.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Zelman & Associates lowered Ferguson from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, January 17th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on Ferguson from $220.00 to $215.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Ferguson from $234.00 to $211.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Bank of America upgraded shares of Ferguson from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $185.00 to $225.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Berenberg Bank upped their target price on shares of Ferguson from $224.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $220.10.

Ferguson Price Performance

Shares of FERG opened at $180.68 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $36.13 billion, a PE ratio of 19.58, a PEG ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $189.28 and a 200-day moving average price of $197.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 1.68. Ferguson plc has a fifty-two week low of $167.27 and a fifty-two week high of $225.63.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 20th will be issued a dividend of $0.83 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 20th. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.84%. This is a positive change from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio is currently 39.86%.

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.