GHP Investment Advisors Inc. Boosts Stake in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

GHP Investment Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) by 3.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 40,469 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 1,177 shares during the period. GHP Investment Advisors Inc.’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $7,024,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in FERG. Asset Dedication LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ferguson in the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. True Wealth Design LLC increased its stake in Ferguson by 1,350.0% in the third 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. Berbice Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the fourth quarter valued at about $35,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the third quarter worth about $37,000. Finally, Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the third quarter worth about $39,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have commented on FERG shares. Morgan Stanley started coverage on Ferguson in a research note on Monday. They set an “overweight” rating and a $204.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Ferguson from $215.00 to $205.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday. Zelman & Associates cut shares of Ferguson from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, January 17th. Robert W. Baird reduced their target price 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. Finally, Berenberg Bank lifted their target price on shares of Ferguson from $224.00 to $240.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Ferguson currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $217.73.

Ferguson Stock Up 2.0 %

FERG stock opened at $183.31 on Thursday. 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 company’s 50-day moving average price is $185.14 and its 200 day moving average price is $196.59. Ferguson plc has a 52 week low of $167.27 and a 52 week high of $225.63. The company has a market cap of $36.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.08, a P/E/G ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 1.24.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 20th will be paid a dividend of $0.83 per share. This is a positive change from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 20th. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.81%. Ferguson’s payout ratio is 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.