Royal Mail PLC (LON:RMG) Receives Average Recommendation of “Hold” from Brokerages

Shares of Royal Mail PLC (LON:RMG) have earned an average rating of “Hold” from the thirteen research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, seven have assigned a hold recommendation and two have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is GBX 239.64 ($3.13).

RMG has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Berenberg Bank reissued a “hold” rating and set a GBX 240 ($3.14) price objective on shares of Royal Mail in a research report on Thursday, June 20th. Liberum Capital reiterated a “sell” rating and issued a GBX 240 ($3.14) price target on shares of Royal Mail in a research note on Wednesday, May 22nd. Goldman Sachs Group restated a “buy” rating on shares of Royal Mail in a research report on Monday, June 10th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on shares of Royal Mail from GBX 220 ($2.87) to GBX 170 ($2.22) and set an “underperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, June 3rd. Finally, HSBC lowered shares of Royal Mail to a “hold” rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from GBX 300 ($3.92) to GBX 216 ($2.82) in a research report on Friday, June 7th.

LON RMG traded up GBX 3.60 ($0.05) during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching GBX 200.30 ($2.62). The stock had a trading volume of 6,081,455 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,850,000. Royal Mail has a 1 year low of GBX 192 ($2.51) and a 1 year high of GBX 511.80 ($6.69). The firm has a market cap of $2.03 billion and a PE ratio of 11.45. The business’s fifty day moving average price is GBX 213.85. The company has a current ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 12.04.

The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 4th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 25th will be issued a dividend of GBX 17 ($0.22) per share. This represents a yield of 7.43%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 25th. This is a boost from Royal Mail’s previous dividend of $8.00. Royal Mail’s payout ratio is 1.43%.

In related news, insider Rico Back bought 51,702 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 4th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 199 ($2.60) per share, for a total transaction of £102,886.98 ($134,440.06). In the last 90 days, insiders bought 251,794 shares of company stock valued at $51,708,848.

About Royal Mail

Royal Mail plc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an universal postal service provider in the United Kingdom, the United States, and other European countries. It offers parcels and letter delivery services under the Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide brands. The company also provides services for the collection, sorting, and delivery of parcels and letters; and designs and produces stamps and philatelic items, as well as offers media and marketing mail services.

Further Reading: Why do analysts give a neutral rating?

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