Essentra (LON:ESNT) Shares Cross Below 200-Day Moving Average - Should You Sell?

Key Points

• Essentra plc's shares have fallen below their 200-day moving average for the first time, trading at GBX 95.10 ($1.29) compared to a moving average of GBX 102.26 ($1.38).
• Despite recent stock performance, three analysts maintain a Buy rating on Essentra, with price targets ranging from GBX 170 to GBX 230.
• Essentra reported a quarterly earnings per share of GBX 3.40, with expectations for annual earnings per share to reach approximately 524.14 for the current year.

Essentra plc (LON:ESNT - Get Free Report) shares passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 102.26 ($1.39) and traded as low as GBX 95.10 ($1.29). Essentra shares last traded at GBX 95.10 ($1.29), with a volume of 276,872 shares traded.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. Berenberg Bank reissued a "buy" rating and issued a GBX 170 price objective on shares of Essentra in a research note on Tuesday, July 29th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a GBX 175 price target on shares of Essentra in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Peel Hunt reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a GBX 230 price target on shares of Essentra in a report on Tuesday, July 29th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of GBX 191.67.

Essentra Stock Performance

The firm's 50 day simple moving average is GBX 103.47 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 101.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 51.89, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a current ratio of 1.97. The company has a market capitalization of £276.43 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2,937.88, a P/E/G ratio of 3.84 and a beta of 1.18.

Essentra (LON:ESNT - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 29th. The company reported GBX 3.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Essentra had a net margin of 1.13% and a return on equity of 1.28%. Analysts expect that Essentra plc will post 524.137931 EPS for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Essentra

In related news, insider Rowan Baker purchased 10,386 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 8th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 104 per share, for a total transaction of £10,801.44. 0.46% 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.