Costain Group (LON:COST) Stock Price Down 15.3% - What's Next?

Key Points

• Costain Group PLC's shares dropped by 15.3% during mid-day trading, falling to GBX 138.36 ($1.87) and reflecting a significant increase in trading volume.
• The company reported a net margin of 2.33% and a return on equity of 13.56%, with analysts predicting earnings per share of approximately 13.76 for the current fiscal year.
• Recent insider sales included a total of 612,435 shares valued at $87.56 million, indicating potential concerns among company insiders about the stock value.

Costain Group PLC (LON:COST - Get Free Report)'s stock price fell 15.3% on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as GBX 131.88 ($1.78) and last traded at GBX 138.36 ($1.87). 12,102,026 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 744% from the average session volume of 1,433,593 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 163.40 ($2.21).

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have weighed in on COST. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on Costain Group from GBX 115 to GBX 150 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday. Berenberg Bank increased their target price on Costain Group from GBX 150 to GBX 175 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of GBX 162.50.

Costain Group Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of £351.42 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 2.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.86, a current ratio of 1.40 and a quick ratio of 1.32. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 153.01 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 125.67.

Costain Group (LON:COST - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 20th. The company reported GBX 5.50 EPS for the quarter. Costain Group had a return on equity of 13.56% and a net margin of 2.33%. As a group, analysts anticipate that Costain Group PLC will post 13.7551582 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Costain Group

In other news, insider Helen Willis sold 100,082 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 142, for a total transaction of £142,116.44. Also, insider Alex Vaughan sold 241,639 shares of Costain Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 144, for a total value of £347,960.16. Insiders have sold a total of 612,435 shares of company stock valued at $87,561,906 over the last 90 days. 6.43% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Costain Group Company Profile

Costain helps to improve people's lives by creating connected, sustainable infrastructure that enables people and the planet thrive. We shape, create and deliver pioneering solutions that transform the performance of the infrastructure ecosystem across the UK's energy, water, transportation and defence markets.