Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for United Utilities Group (LON:UU) Stock

Key Points

• Deutsche Bank raised its target price on United Utilities to GBX 1,550 (from GBX 1,450) and maintained a buy rating, implying about a 9.42% upside from the prior close.
• Analyst sentiment is mixed with a consensus Hold rating and an average target of GBX 1,429.57 — three analysts rate Buy and four rate Hold, while RBC and JPMorgan have recently lifted targets.
• Company metrics show a market cap of £9.70 billion, a high trailing P/E of 76.46 alongside strong quarterly profitability (net margin ~22.4%, ROE ~27.7%), and limited insider buying (Marina Wyatt purchased 2,400 shares).

United Utilities Group (LON:UU - Get Free Report) had its target price upped by equities research analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from GBX 1,450 to GBX 1,550 in a report released on Tuesday,Digital Look reports. The brokerage currently has a "buy" rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft's target price would suggest a potential upside of 9.42% from the company's previous close.

Other analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a "hold" rating and set a GBX 1,320 price target on shares of United Utilities Group in a research report on Thursday, April 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised United Utilities Group to a "sector perform" rating and boosted their target price for the company from GBX 1,450 to GBX 1,550 in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on United Utilities Group from GBX 1,300 to GBX 1,450 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Monday, April 13th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, United Utilities Group presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of GBX 1,429.57.

United Utilities Group Stock Performance

UU stock opened at GBX 1,416.50 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of £9.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 76.46, a PEG ratio of 0.69 and a beta of 0.56. The company has a current ratio of 2.55, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 512.65. The firm's 50 day moving average price is GBX 1,341.12 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 1,261.93.

United Utilities Group (LON:UU - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported GBX 107.10 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of GBX 261.63 billion for the quarter. United Utilities Group had a net margin of 22.43% and a return on equity of 27.72%. Equities research analysts predict that United Utilities Group will post 50.9730539 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at United Utilities Group

In other news, insider Marina Wyatt bought 2,400 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 5th. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 1,269 per share, with a total value of £30,456. Insiders purchased a total of 2,426 shares of company stock valued at $3,079,348 over the last 90 days. 0.05% of the stock is owned by insiders.

United Utilities Group Company Profile

United Utilities Group PLC provides water and wastewater services in the United Kingdom. It is involved in the renewable energy generation, corporate trustee, financing, and property management activities; and provision of consulting, and project management services. The company operates 43,000 kilometers of water pipes; and 79,000 kilometers of wastewater pipes. United Utilities Group PLC was incorporated in 2008 and is based in Warrington, the United Kingdom.

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