Direct Line Insurance Group plc (LON:DLG) Receives Average Recommendation of “Hold” from Brokerages

Direct Line Insurance Group plc (LON:DLG) has earned an average rating of “Hold” from the six brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and two have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is GBX 206 ($2.69).

Several analysts have weighed in on DLG shares. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a “sector perform” rating and issued a GBX 195 ($2.55) price objective on shares of Direct Line Insurance Group in a research note on Monday, June 24th. Berenberg Bank dropped their target price on shares of Direct Line Insurance Group from GBX 220 ($2.88) to GBX 215 ($2.81) and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, July 2nd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a GBX 240 ($3.14) price target on shares of Direct Line Insurance Group in a report on Thursday, September 5th.

Insider Transactions at Direct Line Insurance Group

In related news, insider Carol Hagh bought 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 4th. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 195 ($2.55) per share, for a total transaction of £19,500 ($25,500.20). In the last 90 days, insiders have bought 10,152 shares of company stock worth $1,980,088. Company insiders own 1.98% of the company’s stock.

Direct Line Insurance Group Stock Performance

Shares of DLG opened at GBX 180.13 ($2.36) on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of GBX 187.25 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 193.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.04, a current ratio of 0.57 and a quick ratio of 0.28. The company has a market cap of £2.34 billion, a PE ratio of 783.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 0.42. Direct Line Insurance Group has a one year low of GBX 149.50 ($1.96) and a one year high of GBX 240.10 ($3.14).

Direct Line Insurance Group Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 11th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 12th will be given a GBX 2 ($0.03) dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 12th. This represents a dividend yield of 1.04%. Direct Line Insurance Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 2,608.70%.

About Direct Line Insurance Group

Direct Line Insurance Group plc engages in the provision of general insurance products and services in the United Kingdom. The company operates through Motor, Home, Rescue and Other Personal Lines, and Commercial segments. It offers motor, home, van, landlord, rescue, pet, tradesperson, business, creditor and select, and travel insurance products, as well as commercial insurance for small and medium-sized enterprises.