Whitbread (LON:WTB) Shares Up 0% – Here’s Why

Shares of Whitbread plc (LON:WTB) traded up 0% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as GBX 2,845.58 ($36.06) and last traded at GBX 2,815 ($35.67). 925,572 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 28% from the average session volume of 1,287,448 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 2,814 ($35.66).

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group cut shares of Whitbread to a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 18th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on shares of Whitbread from GBX 39 ($0.49) to GBX 40 ($0.51) and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 20th. Shore Capital reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Whitbread in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Finally, Berenberg Bank restated a “buy” rating and set a GBX 4,000 ($50.68) target price on shares of Whitbread in a research report on Thursday, October 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of GBX 2,746.67 ($34.80).

Whitbread Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.74, a current ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 144.72. The stock has a market capitalization of £5.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,759.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -3.09 and a beta of 1.11. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is GBX 3,087.95 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 2,989.50.

Whitbread Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 6th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 31st will be issued a GBX 34.60 ($0.44) dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 1.13%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 31st. Whitbread’s payout ratio is currently 6,062.50%.

Whitbread Company Profile

Whitbread plc operates hotels and restaurants in the United Kingdom, Germany, and internationally. It operates hotels with rooms in the United Kingdom; Middle East; and Germany under the Premier Inn, ZIP by Premier Inn, and hub by Premier Inn brands. The company operates restaurants under the Brewers Fayre, Beefeater, Cookhouse & Pub, Bar+Block Steakhouse, Thyme, and Table Table brands in the United Kingdom.