Rentokil Initial (LON:RTO) Reaches New 12-Month Low - Here's Why

Key Points

• Rentokil Initial shares fell to a new 52-week low, trading as low as GBX 326.90 and closing last at GBX 328.55, below the previous close of GBX 331.20.
• Analysts have recently cut several price targets, although sentiment remains positive overall: five analysts rate the stock a Buy, two Hold, and one Sell. The consensus rating is “Moderate Buy” with an average target of GBX 455.75.
• The stock is trading well below its moving averages, with a 50-day average of GBX 385.06 and a 200-day average of GBX 437.58; Rentokil Initial has a market capitalization of approximately £8.27 billion.

Rentokil Initial plc (LON:RTO - Get Free Report)'s share price hit a new 52-week low on Friday . The company traded as low as GBX 326.90 and last traded at GBX 328.55, with a volume of 4286750 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 331.20.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on Rentokil Initial from GBX 477 to GBX 431 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their target price on Rentokil Initial from GBX 465 to GBX 405 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a GBX 550 price target on shares of Rentokil Initial in a research note on Thursday, July 9th. Citigroup dropped their price target on Rentokil Initial from GBX 575 to GBX 550 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price objective on Rentokil Initial from GBX 540 to GBX 480 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of GBX 455.75.

Rentokil Initial Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of £8.27 billion, a PE ratio of 17.42, a PEG ratio of 0.56 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 110.37, a quick ratio of 1.76 and a current ratio of 1.06. The firm's 50 day moving average is GBX 385.06 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 437.58.

Rentokil Initial Company Profile

Rentokil Initial plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides route-based services in North America, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and internationally. It offers a range of pest control services for rodents, and flying and crawling insects, as well as other forms of wildlife management for commercial customers. The company provides hygiene services, including the provision and maintenance of products, such as soap and hand sanitizer dispensers, hand dryers, air care and purification, cubicle and surface sanitizers, feminine hygiene units, toilet paper dispensers, and floor protection mats.

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