Essentra (LON:ESNT) Sets New 52-Week Low - Here's What Happened

Key Points

• 52-week low: Essentra shares hit a new 52-week low Monday, trading as low as GBX 88.38 and last at GBX 94.80 on volume of 1,209,223 shares, after a prior close of GBX 91.90.
• Analyst outlook: Five analysts maintain a "Buy" consensus with a average price target of GBX 164, though several brokers have trimmed targets recently (e.g., Deutsche Bank to GBX 150, RBC to GBX 130), suggesting perceived upside from current levels.
• Insider buying and valuation: Insiders acquired 61,871 shares in the past three months (including 40,000 by Steve Good on March 17), while the company has a market cap of £270.01m and a P/E of 28.73.

Essentra plc (LON:ESNT - Get Free Report)'s stock price hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as GBX 88.38 and last traded at GBX 94.80, with a volume of 1209223 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at GBX 91.90.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have commented on ESNT shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price target on Essentra from GBX 165 to GBX 150 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Essentra in a research note on Friday. Berenberg Bank reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a GBX 160 target price on shares of Essentra in a report on Thursday. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price target on shares of Essentra to GBX 130 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 18th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of GBX 164.

Essentra Stock Performance

The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 101.65 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 100.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 47.67, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a current ratio of 2.20. The stock has a market capitalization of £270.01 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.73, a P/E/G ratio of 3.84 and a beta of 0.86.

Essentra (LON:ESNT - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 17th. The company reported GBX 6.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Essentra had a return on equity of 0.79% and a net margin of 0.70%. Analysts forecast that Essentra plc will post 524.137931 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Essentra

In related news, insider Rowan Baker acquired 10,977 shares of Essentra stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 17th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 91 per share, with a total value of £9,989.07. Also, insider Steve Good acquired 40,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 17th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 93 per share, with a total value of £37,200. Over the last three months, insiders have acquired 61,871 shares of company stock valued at $5,710,261. 0.48% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About Essentra

Essentra plc is a leading global provider of essential components and solutions, focusing on the manufacture and distribution of plastic injection moulded, vinyl dip moulded and metal items. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, Essentra's global network extends to 28 countries worldwide and includes c.3,000 employees, 14 manufacturing facilities, 26 distribution centres and 37 sales & service centres serving c.64,000 customers with a rapid supply of low cost but essential products for a variety of applications in industries such as equipment manufacturing, automotive, fabrication, electronics, medical and renewable energy.

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