The Sage Group (LON:SGE) Reaches New 52-Week Low – Time to Sell?

The Sage Group plc (LON:SGE)’s share price reached a new 52-week low during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as GBX 1,024.27 and last traded at GBX 1,025, with a volume of 314290625 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 1,041.50.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Shore Capital reissued a “hold” rating on shares of The Sage Group in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on shares of The Sage Group from GBX 1,320 to GBX 1,350 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price objective on shares of The Sage Group from GBX 1,250 to GBX 1,200 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday. Panmure Gordon reaffirmed a “hold” rating and issued a GBX 1,300 target price on shares of The Sage Group in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group reissued a “hold” rating and set a GBX 1,100 price target on shares of The Sage Group in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of GBX 1,250.

The Sage Group Trading Down 1.0%

The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 114.00. The firm has a market capitalization of £9.65 billion, a PE ratio of 27.31, a PEG ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.53. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is GBX 1,074.57 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 1,118.91.

The Sage Group (LON:SGE) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The company reported GBX 43.20 earnings per share for the quarter. The Sage Group had a net margin of 11.87% and a return on equity of 24.48%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that The Sage Group plc will post 42.1496095 earnings per share for the current year.

The Sage Group declared that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, November 19th that authorizes the company to buyback 0 outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to repurchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are usually a sign that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Activity

In other The Sage Group news, insider Jonathan Howell sold 88,727 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 1,065, for a total value of £944,942.55. Also, insider Steve Hare sold 127,828 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 1,065, for a total value of £1,361,368.20. Insiders own 0.95% of the company’s stock.

About The Sage Group

The Sage Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides technology solutions and services for small and medium businesses in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and internationally. It offers cloud native solutions, such as Sage Intacct, a cloud accounting software product and financial management software; Sage People, a HR and people management solution; Sage 200, a finance and business management solution; Sage X3, a business management solution; Sage Accounting, a solution for small businesses, accountants, and bookkeepers to manage customer data, accounts, and people; Sage Payroll for small businesses manage their payroll; and Sage HR for small and mid-sized businesses for record management, leave management, staff scheduling, and expenses services.