IP Group (LON:IPO) Sets New 12-Month High - Still a Buy?

Key Points

• IP Group shares reached a new 52-week high, trading as high as GBX 75.68 and closing near GBX 75.09, above the previous close of GBX 73.60.
• Analysts remain bullish: Berenberg and Deutsche Bank maintained Buy ratings with price targets of GBX 119 and GBX 110, respectively. The consensus target is GBX 114.50.
• Insiders purchased 271,368 shares worth approximately £18.1 million over the past three months, while the company reported quarterly EPS of GBX 3.53 and a 14.25% return on equity.

Shares of IP Group Plc (LON:IPO - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday. The stock traded as high as GBX 75.68 and last traded at GBX 75.09, with a volume of 261146 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 73.60.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have issued reports on IPO shares. Berenberg Bank reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a GBX 119 target price on shares of IP Group in a report on Tuesday, September 15th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a "buy" rating and set a GBX 110 price target on shares of IP Group in a research report on Wednesday, September 16th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, IP Group has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of GBX 114.50.

IP Group Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 11.90, a current ratio of 36.57 and a quick ratio of 8.59. The company has a market capitalization of £667.87 million, a PE ratio of 10.65 and a beta of 1.27. The firm has a 50-day moving average of GBX 69.20 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 64.38.

IP Group (LON:IPO - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, September 15th. The company reported GBX 3.53 EPS for the quarter. IP Group had a return on equity of 14.25% and a net margin of 321.64%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that IP Group Plc will post 19.6245031 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at IP Group

In related news, insider Greg Smith acquired 45,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 5th. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 68 per share, for a total transaction of £30,600. Also, insider Michael Queen bought 200,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 4th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 66 per share, for a total transaction of £132,000. Insiders purchased 271,368 shares of company stock worth $18,053,024 over the last three months. 1.57% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About IP Group

IP Group accelerates the impact of science for a better future. As the most active UK based, early-stage science investor, we develop and support some of the world's most exciting businesses in deeptech, life sciences and cleantech (led by Kiko Ventures). Through Parkwalk, the UK's largest growth EIS fund manager, we also back world-changing innovation emerging in leading universities and research institutions. Our specialist investment team combines sector expertise with an international approach.

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