J Sainsbury (LON:SBRY) Stock Passes Above 200 Day Moving Average - Here's Why

Key Points

• J Sainsbury shares rose above their 200-day moving average, reaching GBX 335.30 compared with the GBX 332.45 average, on trading volume of 7.7 million shares.
• Analysts maintain a generally positive outlook, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and average price target of GBX 355.17; targets range from GBX 310 to GBX 395.
• The company has a £7.31 billion market capitalization and trades at a P/E ratio of 19.84. Insider Simon Roberts recently sold 346,154 shares for approximately £1.15 million.

J Sainsbury plc (LON:SBRY - Get Free Report) passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 332.45 and traded as high as GBX 335.30. J Sainsbury shares last traded at GBX 335.30, with a volume of 7,717,626 shares.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have weighed in on the company. Shore Capital Group reissued a "house stock" rating on shares of J Sainsbury in a report on Friday, July 31st. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a "hold" rating and set a GBX 310 target price on shares of J Sainsbury in a report on Wednesday, July 1st. UBS Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a GBX 395 price target on shares of J Sainsbury in a research note on Friday, June 26th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an "outperform" rating and issued a GBX 375 price target on shares of J Sainsbury in a report on Thursday, July 2nd. Finally, Citigroup increased their target price on shares of J Sainsbury from GBX 330 to GBX 346 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, August 7th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of GBX 355.17.

J Sainsbury Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 107.33, a current ratio of 0.56 and a quick ratio of 0.53. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is GBX 343.43 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 332.45. The stock has a market capitalization of £7.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.84, a PEG ratio of 0.42 and a beta of 1.00.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Simon Roberts sold 346,154 shares of J Sainsbury stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 333, for a total transaction of £1,152,692.82. Corporate insiders own 0.44% of the company's stock.

About J Sainsbury

J Sainsbury plc is one of the UK's leading food, general merchandise and clothing retailers. Offering delicious, great quality food at competitive prices has been at the heart of what we do since we opened our first store in 1869. Today, inspiring and delighting our customers with tasty food remains our priority. Our purpose is that driven by our passion for food, together we serve and help every customer. Our focus on great value food and convenient shopping, whether in-store or online is supported by our brands – Argos, Habitat, Tu, Nectar and Sainsbury's Bank.

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