Auto Trader Group (LON:AUTO) Reaches New 12-Month Low Following Analyst Downgrade

Key Points

• Shares hit a new 52-week low after Deutsche Bank cut its price target from GBX 850 to GBX 816 (maintaining a buy rating); Auto Trader traded as low as GBX 452.70 and last at GBX 455.50 on heavy volume.
• Analyst views are mixed with recent target cuts — JPMorgan moved to an "underweight" with a GBX 515 target while Citigroup and Berenberg trimmed targets but kept "buy" ratings — leaving a consensus of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of GBX 719.
• Company fundamentals show a market capitalization of £3.78 billion and a P/E of 13.70, while the stock trades below its 50-day (GBX 497.74) and 200-day (GBX 628.37) moving averages, indicating near-term weakness.

Auto Trader Group plc (LON:AUTO - Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week low on Friday after Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price target on the stock from GBX 850 to GBX 816. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft currently has a buy rating on the stock. Auto Trader Group traded as low as GBX 452.70 and last traded at GBX 455.50, with a volume of 7911894 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at GBX 464.80.

Several other analysts have also recently issued reports on AUTO. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of Auto Trader Group from GBX 630 to GBX 515 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 19th. Citigroup decreased their price target on Auto Trader Group from GBX 924 to GBX 880 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Finally, Berenberg Bank lowered their price objective on shares of Auto Trader Group from GBX 830 to GBX 665 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Auto Trader Group presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of GBX 719.

Auto Trader Group Stock Down 2.0%

The company has a market capitalization of £3.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.70, a PEG ratio of 3.99 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.48, a quick ratio of 1.50 and a current ratio of 1.77. The business's 50 day moving average is GBX 497.74 and its 200 day moving average is GBX 628.37.

Auto Trader Group Company Profile

About Auto Trader Auto Trader Group plc is the UK's largest automotive platform. It listed on the London Stock Exchange in March 2015 and is a member of the FTSE 100 Index. Auto Trader's purpose is Driving Change Together. Responsibly. Auto Trader is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture, it aims to build stronger partnerships with its customers and use its voice and influence to drive more environmentally friendly vehicle choices. With the largest number of car buyers and the largest choice of trusted stock, Auto Trader's marketplace sits at the heart of the UK car buying process.

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