Marks and Spencer Group (LON:MKS) Hits New 12-Month Low – What’s Next?

Marks and Spencer Group plc (LON:MKS) shares reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as GBX 315.80 and last traded at GBX 316.80, with a volume of 26109967 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 321.20.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have commented on the company. Citigroup lifted their price target on Marks and Spencer Group from GBX 440 to GBX 450 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Shore Capital reaffirmed a “house stock” rating on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. UBS Group reissued a “buy” rating and issued a GBX 435 price target on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a report on Friday, November 7th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price objective on shares of Marks and Spencer Group from GBX 450 to GBX 435 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 26th. Finally, Peel Hunt reaffirmed a “hold” rating and set a GBX 360 price objective on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of GBX 415.33.

Marks and Spencer Group Price Performance

The stock has a market cap of £6.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 356.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.20 and a beta of 1.62. The company has a current ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 95.00. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is GBX 370.24 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 358.60.

Marks and Spencer Group (LON:MKS) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The retailer reported GBX 6.60 earnings per share for the quarter. Marks and Spencer Group had a net margin of 3.77% and a return on equity of 17.23%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Marks and Spencer Group plc will post 26.0113154 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marks and Spencer Group

In related news, insider Sean Doyle bought 2,526 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 3rd. The stock was acquired at an average cost of GBX 334 per share, with a total value of £8,436.84. Corporate insiders own 0.51% of the company’s stock.

Marks and Spencer Group Company Profile

M&S has a heritage of quality, innovation and value for money and has been voted the UK’s most trusted brand. From these foundations, M&S is reshaping for sustainable profitable growth and value creation.

We operate as a family of businesses, selling high-quality, great-value, own-brand products and services, alongside a carefully selected range of third-party brands.