SeaBridge Investment Advisors LLC Grows Stock Holdings in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

SeaBridge Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) by 1.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 16,662 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 212 shares during the period. SeaBridge Investment Advisors LLC’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $2,892,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of FERG. Asset Dedication LLC purchased a new position in Ferguson in the third quarter worth $27,000. True Wealth Design LLC boosted its position in shares of Ferguson by 1,350.0% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 145 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. Berbice Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Ferguson during the 4th quarter worth $35,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in Ferguson in the third quarter valued at about $37,000. Finally, Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Ferguson in the third quarter valued at about $39,000. Institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Barclays cut their price objective 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. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Ferguson from $220.00 to $215.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. Zelman & Associates lowered shares of Ferguson from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, January 17th. Bank of America upgraded Ferguson from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their target price for the stock from $185.00 to $225.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Robert W. Baird dropped their price target on Ferguson from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Ferguson presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $220.10.

Ferguson Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ FERG opened at $181.21 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 0.91. The stock has a market capitalization of $36.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.84, a PEG ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.24. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $187.04 and its 200-day simple moving average is $197.29. Ferguson plc has a 12 month low of $167.27 and a 12 month high of $225.63.

Ferguson Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 6th. Investors of record on Friday, December 20th will be given a dividend of $0.83 per share. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.83%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 20th. This is a positive change from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 39.86%.

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.