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

Key Points

• Essentra plc's shares have dropped below their 200-day moving average, trading at GBX 98.10 ($1.34), down from a previous moving average of GBX 101.48 ($1.38).
• Three analysts have maintained a "buy" rating for Essentra, with price objectives ranging from GBX 170 to GBX 230, while the current consensus target price is GBX 191.67.
• The company reported GBX 3.40 earnings per share for the quarter ending July 29th and has a market cap of £279.71 million.

Essentra plc (LON:ESNT - Get Free Report)'s stock price passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 101.48 ($1.37) and traded as low as GBX 97.20 ($1.31). Essentra shares last traded at GBX 98.10 ($1.32), with a volume of 9,683,045 shares changing hands.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have weighed in on ESNT. Berenberg Bank reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a GBX 170 price objective on shares of Essentra in a research note on Tuesday, July 29th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a "buy" rating and set a GBX 175 price target on shares of Essentra in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Peel Hunt reiterated a "buy" rating and set a GBX 230 target price on shares of Essentra in a research report on Tuesday, July 29th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of GBX 191.67.

Essentra Price Performance

The company has a 50 day moving average of GBX 102.29 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 101.25. The company has a current ratio of 1.97, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 51.89. The firm has a market cap of £287.98 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3,060.61, a P/E/G ratio of 3.84 and a beta of 1.18.

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

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Rowan Baker purchased 10,386 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 8th. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 104 per share, for a total transaction of £10,801.44. 0.46% of the stock is owned by corporate 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.