Paragon Banking Group (LON:PAG) Hits New 12-Month High - What's Next?

Paragon Banking Group PLC (LON:PAG - Get Free Report)'s stock price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as GBX 914 ($12.30) and last traded at GBX 906 ($12.19), with a volume of 227625 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at GBX 899 ($12.10).

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

PAG has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Canaccord Genuity Group increased their price objective on Paragon Banking Group from GBX 844 ($11.36) to GBX 958 ($12.89) and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 21st. Shore Capital reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Paragon Banking Group in a research note on Thursday, April 10th.

Paragon Banking Group Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of £1.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.75, a PEG ratio of 0.50 and a beta of 1.52. The company has a 50 day moving average of GBX 821.07 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 772.63.

Paragon Banking Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 7th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 6th were paid a GBX 27.20 ($0.37) dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 6th. This is a boost from Paragon Banking Group's previous dividend of $13.20. This represents a dividend yield of 3.64%. Paragon Banking Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 43.17%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Graeme Yorston acquired 458 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 717 ($9.65) per share, for a total transaction of £3,283.86 ($4,419.73). Also, insider Peter Hill acquired 159 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 17th. The stock was purchased at an average price of GBX 740 ($9.96) per share, with a total value of £1,176.60 ($1,583.58). Insiders purchased 2,810 shares of company stock worth $2,082,024 over the last three months. Company insiders own 3.59% of the company's stock.

Paragon Banking Group Company Profile

Paragon is a specialist banking group. It offers a range of savings accounts and provide finance for landlords and small and medium-sized businesses (‘SMEs') and residential property developers in the UK. Founded in 1985 and listed on the London Stock Exchange, it is a FTSE-250 company. Headquartered in Solihull, it employs more than 1,400 people.