Greencore Group (LON:GNC) Trading 8.5% Higher - Time to Buy?

Key Points

• Greencore Group shares jumped 8.5% on Wednesday, trading as high as GBX 250.86 after closing at GBX 221.80 the prior session. Trading volume also rose, with 9.45 million shares changing hands, about 19% above the daily average.
• Analyst sentiment remains generally positive, with three Buy ratings and one Hold across recent reports. The stock carries a consensus price target of GBX 290.25, though individual targets range from GBX 185 to GBX 351.
• Recent insider buying added to the bullish tone, including purchases by Dalton Philips and Alastair S. N. Murray at around GBX 204-205 per share. Over the past three months, insiders have bought 296,700 shares, signaling confidence in the company.

Greencore Group plc (LON:GNC - Get Free Report)'s stock price rose 8.5% during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as GBX 250.86 and last traded at GBX 240.60. 9,445,377 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 19% from the average daily volume of 7,961,544 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 221.80.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

GNC has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a "buy" rating and set a GBX 325 target price on shares of Greencore Group in a research note on Thursday, May 28th. Berenberg Bank restated a "buy" rating and set a GBX 351 price objective on shares of Greencore Group in a research report on Thursday, June 11th. Shore Capital Group reaffirmed a "house stock" rating on shares of Greencore Group in a research note on Monday. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a "hold" rating and issued a GBX 185 target price on shares of Greencore Group in a research report on Thursday, May 28th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of GBX 290.25.

Greencore Group Price Performance

The firm has a market cap of £1.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 85.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.10 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a current ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 80.03. The business has a 50-day moving average of GBX 209.14 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 241.52.

Insider Transactions at Greencore Group

In other Greencore Group news, insider Dalton Philips purchased 35,700 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, May 29th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 204 per share, for a total transaction of £72,828. Also, insider Alastair S. N. Murray purchased 25,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 29th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 205 per share, with a total value of £51,250. Over the last three months, insiders have bought 296,700 shares of company stock worth $59,876,800. Insiders own 1.14% of the company's stock.

About Greencore Group

We are a leading manufacturer of convenience food in the UK and our purpose is to make every day taste better. To help us achieve this we have a model called The Greencore Way, which is built on the differentiators of People at the Core, Great Food, Delivery Excellence, Lasting Partnerships and Sustainable Choices – The Greencore Way describes both who we are and how we will succeed. Greencore is the UK's leading convenience food manufacturer. We bring industry-leading innovation to create high-quality, fresh and convenient food to customers and consumers.

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