4,000 Shares in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) Bought by Kieckhefer Group LLC

Kieckhefer Group LLC acquired a new stake in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 4,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $694,000. Ferguson comprises about 0.4% of Kieckhefer Group LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 25th largest holding.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Hilltop National Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Ferguson during the fourth quarter worth about $100,000. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its position in Ferguson by 0.4% during 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. First Hawaiian Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Ferguson in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $342,000. Dudley & Shanley Inc. purchased a new position in Ferguson in the fourth quarter worth $18,984,000. Finally, Everence Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Ferguson in the fourth quarter valued at $1,028,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have weighed in on FERG shares. 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 report on Wednesday, December 11th. UBS Group reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $193.00 target price (down from $230.00) on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Barclays dropped their price target on Ferguson from $245.00 to $234.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Citigroup lowered their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $221.00 to $189.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $219.00 target price on shares of Ferguson in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $222.40.

Ferguson Trading Down 0.5 %

NASDAQ FERG traded down $0.82 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $168.93. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 687,599 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,252,076. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.80 and a quick ratio of 1.00. Ferguson plc has a 52-week low of $167.27 and a 52-week high of $225.63. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $194.66 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $198.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $33.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.24.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 20th will be given a $0.83 dividend. This is an increase 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 1.97%. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio is presently 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.