Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) Holdings Lifted by Chesley Taft & Associates LLC

Chesley Taft & Associates LLC increased its holdings in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) by 46.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,215 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,965 shares during the period. Chesley Taft & Associates LLC’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $1,079,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Ferguson by 1.8% in the 3rd quarter. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC now owns 3,307 shares of the company’s stock valued at $657,000 after purchasing an additional 57 shares during the period. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC grew its position in Ferguson by 3.2% during the third 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 in the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in Ferguson by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 23,834 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,137,000 after buying an additional 86 shares during the period. Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its position in Ferguson by 33.8% in the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 364 shares of the company’s stock worth $72,000 after buying an additional 92 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Commerce Bank boosted its stake in shares of Ferguson by 3.8% during the 3rd 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 and hedge funds.

Ferguson Trading Up 2.7 %

NASDAQ:FERG opened at $182.28 on Wednesday. The company’s 50 day moving average is $190.48 and its 200-day moving average is $198.08. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. Ferguson plc has a 12 month low of $167.27 and a 12 month high of $225.63. The firm has a market cap of $36.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.71, a P/E/G ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 1.24.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 6th. Investors of record on Friday, December 20th will be issued a $0.83 dividend. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.82%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 20th. This is an increase from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 39.86%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently issued reports on FERG shares. UBS Group reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $193.00 price objective (down from $230.00) on shares of Ferguson in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Bank of America raised Ferguson from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price target for the stock from $185.00 to $225.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on Ferguson from $220.00 to $215.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. Oppenheimer started coverage on Ferguson in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $234.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Ferguson from $234.00 to $211.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Ferguson currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $220.10.

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.