Croda International (LON:CRDA) Share Price Crosses Above Two Hundred Day Moving Average - Here's Why

Key Points

• Croda's share price crossed above its 200-day moving average (GBX 2,802.58), trading as high as GBX 2,953 and last at GBX 2,907 on a volume of 247,811 shares.
• Analysts are mixed: Deutsche Bank cut its target to GBX 3,000 (hold) while Morgan Stanley upgraded to overweight and raised its target to GBX 3,350, leaving a consensus rating of Moderate Buy with an average target of GBX 3,140.
• Fundamentals show a market cap of £4.07 billion and a rich valuation (P/E 65.81, PEG 1.40) alongside modest profitability (net margin 3.65%, ROE 2.82%) and quarterly EPS of GBX 146.20.

Croda International Plc (LON:CRDA - Get Free Report)'s share price crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 2,802.58 and traded as high as GBX 2,953. Croda International shares last traded at GBX 2,907, with a volume of 247,811 shares trading hands.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have issued reports on CRDA shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their target price on shares of Croda International from GBX 3,100 to GBX 3,000 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, March 24th. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Croda International to an "overweight" rating and upped their target price for the company from GBX 3,280 to GBX 3,350 in a research report on Wednesday, March 25th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of GBX 3,140.

Croda International Trading Up 0.5%

The company has a current ratio of 1.99, a quick ratio of 2.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 31.85. The company has a market capitalization of £4.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 65.81, a PEG ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 0.94. The business has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 2,872.71 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 2,802.58.

Croda International (LON:CRDA - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 24th. The company reported GBX 146.20 EPS for the quarter. Croda International had a return on equity of 2.82% and a net margin of 3.65%. Analysts anticipate that Croda International Plc will post 181.8307268 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Steve Foots sold 3,622 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 2,606, for a total value of £94,389.32. Also, insider Danuta Gray purchased 750 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 6th. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 2,788 per share, with a total value of £20,910. Insiders purchased a total of 766 shares of company stock valued at $2,136,858 in the last ninety days. 0.83% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About Croda International

Founded in 1925 with the aim of turning bio-based raw materials into innovative ingredients, Croda International is a speciality chemicals company focused on consumer care and life sciences markets. The company is focused on creating, making and selling innovative ingredients that deliver real benefits to a diverse range of customers and employs more than 6,000 people around the world. Sustainability is a core part of the Groups strategy with a commitment to be Climate, Land and People positive by 2030.

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