Croda International (LON:CRDA) Stock Price Passes Above 200 Day Moving Average - Time to Sell?

Key Points

• Croda shares crossed above their 200-day moving average (200‑day MA GBX 2,822.30) on Wednesday, trading as high as GBX 2,885.07 and last at GBX 2,865.76 on volume of 215,827 shares.
• Analysts are split but mildly positive: the consensus is a “Moderate Buy” with an average price target of GBX 3,140, after recent moves including a Morgan Stanley upgrade and a Deutsche Bank target cut.
• Valuation and fundamentals show caution—market cap ~£3.93bn, P/E of 63.5, low ROE (2.82%) and net margin (3.65%)—despite recent EPS of GBX 146.20 and a forecasted FY EPS around 181.8.

Croda International Plc (LON:CRDA - Get Free Report) crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 2,822.30 and traded as high as GBX 2,885.07. Croda International shares last traded at GBX 2,865.76, with a volume of 215,827 shares trading hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on CRDA shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price objective on Croda International from GBX 3,100 to GBX 3,000 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, March 24th. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Croda International to an "overweight" rating and boosted their target price for the stock from GBX 3,280 to GBX 3,350 in a report on Wednesday, March 25th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a "hold" rating and issued a GBX 3,000 price target on shares of Croda International in a research note on Wednesday, April 22nd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of GBX 3,140.

Croda International Stock Down 1.0%

The stock has a market cap of £3.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 63.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 0.94. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 2,877.81 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 2,822.30. The company has a quick ratio of 2.25, a current ratio of 1.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 31.85.

Croda International (LON:CRDA - Get Free Report) last issued its 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%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Croda International Plc will post 181.8307268 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Croda International

In related news, insider Danuta Gray bought 750 shares of Croda International stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 6th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 2,788 per share, with a total value of £20,910. Also, insider Steve Foots sold 3,622 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 2,606, for a total transaction of £94,389.32. Insiders have purchased a total of 771 shares of company stock worth $2,152,788 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.83% of the company's stock.

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. Sustainability is a core part of the Groups strategy with a commitment to be Climate, Land and People positive by 2030.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.