Croda International (LON:CRDA) Shares Cross Above 200-Day Moving Average - Here's What Happened

Key Points

• Croda International's share price recently surpassed its 200-day moving average, trading as high as GBX 2,895 ($38.71) and closing at GBX 2,880 ($38.51).
• Several analysts have issued divergent ratings on the stock, with Jefferies Financial Group lowering its target price from GBX 3,200 to GBX 3,100 while Berenberg Bank raised its target price from GBX 3,100 to GBX 3,300.
• Insiders have been active in the market, buying a total of 11,333 shares worth approximately $29.79 million over the past quarter.

Croda International Plc (LON:CRDA - Get Free Report)'s share price crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 2,817.72 ($37.68) and traded as high as GBX 2,895 ($38.71). Croda International shares last traded at GBX 2,880 ($38.51), with a volume of 1,006,680 shares changing hands.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have issued reports on CRDA shares. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price objective on shares of Croda International from GBX 3,200 to GBX 3,100 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Citigroup reduced their price objective on shares of Croda International from GBX 3,300 to GBX 3,050 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Berenberg Bank boosted their price objective on shares of Croda International from GBX 3,100 to GBX 3,300 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Croda International to an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price objective on shares of Croda International from GBX 3,000 to GBX 3,100 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of GBX 3,137.50.

Croda International Stock Down 0.4%

The stock's 50-day moving average price is GBX 2,633.97 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 2,817.72. The stock has a market capitalization of £4.00 billion, a PE ratio of 18.62, a P/E/G ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 30.90, a quick ratio of 2.25 and a current ratio of 2.72.

Croda International (LON:CRDA - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 29th. The company reported GBX 72.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Croda International had a net margin of 9.98% and a return on equity of 6.96%. As a group, analysts expect that Croda International Plc will post 181.8307268 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Chris Good purchased 1,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 6th. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 2,633 per share, for a total transaction of £26,330. Also, insider Danuta Gray purchased 1,300 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 1st. The stock was purchased at an average price of GBX 2,600 per share, for a total transaction of £33,800. Insiders have purchased a total of 11,333 shares of company stock worth $29,793,789 over the last quarter. 0.83% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Croda International Company Profile

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.

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