Marks and Spencer Group plc (LON:MKS) Receives Consensus Recommendation of “Buy” from Brokerages

Shares of Marks and Spencer Group plc (LON:MKS) have received a consensus rating of “Buy” from the six analysts that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Six analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation. The average 12 month price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is GBX 322.50 ($4.15).

Several research analysts have recently commented on MKS shares. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a GBX 315 ($4.05) target price on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a research note on Wednesday, May 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated an “overweight” rating on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a research report on Friday, June 28th. Shore Capital reiterated a “house stock” rating on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. Jefferies Financial Group raised Marks and Spencer Group to a “buy” rating and set a GBX 310 ($3.99) price objective on the stock in a report on Monday, April 22nd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a “buy” rating and issued a GBX 350 ($4.50) target price on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a research report on Friday, June 28th.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Stuart Machin sold 619,188 shares of Marks and Spencer Group stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 289 ($3.72), for a total value of £1,789,453.32 ($2,301,843.74). Corporate insiders own 0.80% of the company’s stock.

Marks and Spencer Group Price Performance

LON:MKS opened at GBX 317.10 ($4.08) on Friday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 304.95 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 271.21. Marks and Spencer Group has a 1-year low of GBX 201.30 ($2.59) and a 1-year high of GBX 341.16 ($4.39). The stock has a market capitalization of £6.50 billion, a PE ratio of 1,510.00, a P/E/G ratio of 0.20 and a beta of 1.58. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 115.61.

Marks and Spencer Group Increases Dividend

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