Dudley & Shanley Inc. Invests $18.98 Million in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

Dudley & Shanley Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 109,375 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $18,984,000. Ferguson comprises 2.9% of Dudley & Shanley Inc.’s holdings, making the stock its 18th biggest holding. Dudley & Shanley Inc. owned approximately 0.05% of Ferguson as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. CWM LLC lifted its position in shares of Ferguson by 303.7% in the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 4,550 shares of the company’s stock worth $904,000 after purchasing an additional 3,423 shares during the period. Neo Ivy Capital Management purchased a new stake in Ferguson in the third quarter worth about $970,000. Entropy Technologies LP boosted its position in Ferguson by 66.2% during the 3rd quarter. Entropy Technologies LP now owns 51,647 shares of the company’s stock valued at $10,256,000 after acquiring an additional 20,580 shares in the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 32.5% during the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 32,025 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,359,000 after acquiring an additional 7,862 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can raised its position in shares of Ferguson by 380.6% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 159,411 shares of the company’s stock worth $32,309,000 after acquiring an additional 126,242 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In other Ferguson news, SVP Garland Williams sold 1,118 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $201.22, for a total transaction of $224,963.96. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 1,882 shares in the company, valued at approximately $378,696.04. This trade represents a 37.27 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CMO Victoria Morrissey sold 1,468 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $201.20, for a total transaction of $295,361.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief marketing officer now owns 5,205 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,047,246. The trade was a 22.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 12,313 shares of company stock valued at $2,477,901 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.16% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Stock Performance

NASDAQ:FERG traded up $1.29 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $174.67. The company had a trading volume of 257,635 shares, compared to its average volume of 676,168. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $197.57 and its 200-day moving average price is $199.81. The firm has a market cap of $34.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.97, a PEG ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a current ratio of 1.80, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89. Ferguson plc has a 52 week low of $171.68 and a 52 week high of $225.63.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 6th. Shareholders 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 is an increase from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.90%. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 39.86%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on FERG shares. Berenberg Bank upped their price target on Ferguson from $224.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on shares of Ferguson from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $219.00 target price on shares of Ferguson in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Citigroup upped their price target on Ferguson from $203.00 to $221.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 18th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price objective on Ferguson from $228.00 to $236.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 18th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $230.44.

Ferguson 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.