Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH Invests $226,000 in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG)

Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH bought a new stake in Ferguson plc (NASDAQ:FERG) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 1,301 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $226,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Asset Dedication LLC purchased a new position in shares of Ferguson in the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. True Wealth Design LLC increased its stake in Ferguson by 1,350.0% during the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 145 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 135 shares during the period. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new stake in Ferguson during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $37,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in Ferguson in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Finally, Reston Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ferguson in the third quarter worth $40,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.98% of the company’s stock.

Ferguson Trading Down 0.5 %

NASDAQ:FERG opened at $180.68 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $36.13 billion, a PE ratio of 21.69, a P/E/G ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 1.24. Ferguson plc has a 52-week low of $167.27 and a 52-week high of $225.63. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $189.28 and its 200 day moving average price is $197.82. 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 Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 6th. Investors of record on Friday, December 20th will be paid a dividend of $0.83 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 20th. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.84%. This is a boost from Ferguson’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio is currently 39.86%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently issued reports on FERG shares. Robert W. Baird reduced their price objective on Ferguson from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Bank of America raised Ferguson from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their price target for the company from $185.00 to $225.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. UBS Group reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $193.00 price objective (down from $230.00) on shares of Ferguson in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $219.00 target price on shares of Ferguson in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Berenberg Bank boosted their price target on shares of Ferguson from $224.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $220.10.

About Ferguson

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.