Marks and Spencer Group plc (LON:MKS) Receives GBX 322.50 Consensus PT from Analysts

Shares of Marks and Spencer Group plc (LON:MKS) have received an average rating of “Buy” from the six research firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is GBX 322.50 ($4.13).

MKS has been the subject of several research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “buy” rating and set a GBX 350 ($4.48) price target on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a report on Friday, June 28th. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Marks and Spencer Group to a “buy” rating and set a GBX 310 ($3.97) price objective on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a GBX 315 ($4.03) price objective on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a research report on Wednesday, May 15th. Shore Capital reaffirmed a “house stock” rating on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a research report on Friday, June 28th.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Stuart Machin sold 619,188 shares of Marks and Spencer Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 289 ($3.70), for a total value of £1,789,453.32 ($2,292,113.90). Insiders own 0.80% of the company’s stock.

Marks and Spencer Group Stock Performance

MKS stock opened at GBX 294.22 ($3.77) on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 115.61, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.80. The stock has a market cap of £6.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 1,400.95, a P/E/G ratio of 0.20 and a beta of 1.58. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 289.05 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 266.14. Marks and Spencer Group has a 52 week low of GBX 191.20 ($2.45) and a 52 week high of GBX 314 ($4.02).

Marks and Spencer Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 5th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 30th were given a GBX 2 ($0.03) dividend. This is a positive change from Marks and Spencer Group’s previous dividend of $1.00. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 30th. This represents a dividend yield of 0.73%. Marks and Spencer Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 1,428.57%.

About Marks and Spencer Group

Marks and Spencer Group plc operates various retail stores. It operates through five segments: UK Clothing & Home, UK Food, International, Ocado, and All Other. The company offers protein deli and dairy; produce; ambient and in-store bakery; meals dessert and frozen; and hospitality and Food on the Move' products.