Croda International (LON:CRDA) Stock Passes Above 200 Day Moving Average Following Analyst Downgrade

Key Points

• Croda International's stock recently surpassed its 200-day moving average after being upgraded to an overweight rating by JPMorgan Chase & Co., with current prices around GBX 2,871 ($38.70).
• Insider transactions indicate confidence in the company, as insiders purchased over 11,000 shares in recent weeks, totaling nearly £30,000 in value.
• Analyst ratings for Croda International show a consensus of "Moderate Buy" with a target price of GBX 3,087.50, despite some firms revising their target prices downward.

Shares of Croda International Plc (LON:CRDA - Get Free Report) crossed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Friday after JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded the stock to an overweight rating. The stock has a two hundred day moving average of GBX 2,826.57 ($38.10) and traded as high as GBX 2,877 ($38.78). Croda International shares last traded at GBX 2,871 ($38.70), with a volume of 1,014,705 shares.

A number of other research firms have also weighed in on CRDA. Berenberg Bank reissued a "buy" rating and set a GBX 3,800 target price on shares of Croda International in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Citigroup decreased their target price on Croda International from GBX 3,550 to GBX 3,300 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 29th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of GBX 3,087.50.

Insider Buying and Selling at Croda International

In other news, insider Ian Bull purchased 500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 1st. The stock was acquired at an average cost of GBX 2,643 per share, with a total value of £13,215. Also, insider Steve Foots purchased 3,815 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 4th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 2,617 per share, with a total value of £99,838.55. Insiders acquired a total of 11,343 shares of company stock worth $29,823,659 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.83% of the company's stock.

Croda International Price Performance

The stock has a market cap of £4.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 1,864.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a current ratio of 2.72, a quick ratio of 2.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 30.90. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 2,584.83 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 2,826.57.

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

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.

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