Marks and Spencer Group (LON:MKS) Stock Price Crosses Above Two Hundred Day Moving Average - Here's Why

Key Points

• Marks and Spencer Group's shares have crossed above their 200-day moving average, trading at GBX 358.40, with significant trading volume of over 3 million shares.
• Analysts maintain a consensus rating of "Buy" for the stock, with a target price of GBX 400, although Royal Bank of Canada has recently lowered their target from GBX 420.
• Insider transactions revealed that two executives sold a substantial amount of shares at an average price of GBX 333, indicating potential concerns about the stock among company insiders.

Marks and Spencer Group plc (LON:MKS - Get Free Report)'s share price passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 358.61 ($4.83) and traded as high as GBX 360 ($4.85). Marks and Spencer Group shares last traded at GBX 358.40 ($4.83), with a volume of 3,094,006 shares changing hands.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have weighed in on MKS shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price target on shares of Marks and Spencer Group from GBX 450 to GBX 435 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday. Shore Capital restated a "house stock" rating on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a research note on Wednesday, May 21st. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price objective on shares of Marks and Spencer Group from GBX 420 to GBX 400 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated an "overweight" rating on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of GBX 417.50.

Marks and Spencer Group Stock Down 0.3%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 95.00, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.82. The stock has a market cap of £7.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.20, a PEG ratio of 0.20 and a beta of 1.62. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is GBX 347.03 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is GBX 358.75.

Insider Activity

In other Marks and Spencer Group news, insider Alison Dolan sold 116,632 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 333, for a total value of £388,384.56. Also, insider Stuart Machin sold 833,949 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 333, for a total transaction of £2,777,050.17. Company insiders own 0.87% of the company's stock.

Marks and Spencer Group Company Profile

M&S has a heritage of quality, innovation and value for money and has been voted the UK's most trusted brand. From these foundations, M&S is reshaping for sustainable profitable growth and value creation. We operate as a family of businesses, selling high-quality, great-value, own-brand products and services, alongside a carefully selected range of third-party brands.