Smiths Group plc (SMIN.L) - What Are Researchers Saying About This Stock?

Key Points

• Analyst sentiment is moderately bullish: Four of six covering analysts rate Smiths Group a buy, while two recommend holding the stock. The average 12-month price target is GBX 2,910, above its reported opening price of GBX 2,685.
• Recent target-price changes were generally positive, including Berenberg raising its target to GBX 3,200 and JPMorgan lifting its target to GBX 3,100; Jefferies and RBC maintained hold or sector-perform views.
• Smiths Group reported quarterly EPS of GBX 49.50, and analysts expect full-year EPS of GBX 85.13. Two insiders also purchased shares recently, though insider ownership remains low at 0.81%.

Shares of Smiths Group plc (LON:SMIN - Get Free Report) have received a consensus recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the six research firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is GBX 2,910.

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Berenberg Bank raised their target price on shares of Smiths Group from GBX 3,000 to GBX 3,200 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 23rd. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a "hold" rating and issued a GBX 2,750 price target on shares of Smiths Group in a report on Wednesday, July 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Smiths Group from GBX 2,810 to GBX 3,100 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 28th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a "sector perform" rating and set a GBX 2,500 price objective on shares of Smiths Group in a research report on Wednesday, July 1st.

Smiths Group Stock Performance

Shares of SMIN opened at GBX 2,685 on Friday. The firm's 50 day moving average is GBX 2,657.51 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 2,575.16. The stock has a market capitalization of £7.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 4.29, a P/E/G ratio of 0.35 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 46.28, a current ratio of 2.77 and a quick ratio of 1.29. Smiths Group has a 12-month low of GBX 2,088 and a 12-month high of GBX 2,885.

Smiths Group (LON:SMIN - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, September 22nd. The company reported GBX 49.50 EPS for the quarter. Smiths Group had a net margin of 101.70% and a return on equity of 92.97%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Smiths Group will post 85.13 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Richard Howes bought 67 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 3rd. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 2,658 per share, for a total transaction of £1,780.86. Also, insider Laurence Mulliez bought 702 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 28th. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 2,831 per share, for a total transaction of £19,873.62. Insiders own 0.81% of the company's stock.

About Smiths Group

For 175 years, we have been pioneers of progress, engineering a better future. Our strategy is to be a focused, efficient and value creating industrial engineering company operating in the attractive and growing market segments of flow control, thermal solutions, construction and aerospace. We focus on solving the toughest problems for our customers, helping address critical global needs such as decarbonisation and the ever-increasing demand for process and energy efficiency. We are pioneers of progress.

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