Marks and Spencer Group plc (LON:MKS) Given Average Recommendation of “Buy” by Brokerages

Marks and Spencer Group plc (LON:MKS) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of “Buy” from the six analysts that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Six analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is GBX 322.50 ($4.13).

Several research analysts recently commented on MKS shares. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Marks and Spencer Group to a “buy” rating and set a GBX 310 ($3.97) price target for the company in a research report on Monday, April 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a GBX 315 ($4.03) price objective on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a research note on Wednesday, May 15th. Shore Capital reissued a “house stock” rating on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued an “overweight” rating on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a research note on Friday, June 28th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a “buy” rating and issued a GBX 350 ($4.48) price objective on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a research note on Friday, June 28th.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Marks and Spencer Group news, insider Stuart Machin sold 619,188 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated 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 Trading Up 1.3 %

Shares of Marks and Spencer Group stock opened at GBX 294.22 ($3.77) on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of £6.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,400.95, a PEG ratio of 0.20 and a beta of 1.58. The business has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 289.05 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 266.14. The company has a quick ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 115.61. Marks and Spencer Group has a twelve month low of GBX 191.20 ($2.45) and a twelve month high of GBX 314 ($4.02).

Marks and Spencer Group Increases Dividend

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

Marks and Spencer Group Company Profile

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.