Rentokil Initial (LON:RTO) Sets New 12-Month Low - Should You Sell?

Key Points

• Rentokil Initial shares fell to a new 52-week low, trading as low as GBX 322.70 and last changing hands at GBX 328 on heavy volume.
• Analysts have recently reduced several price targets, but the overall consensus remains “Moderate Buy”, with an average target of GBX 455.75 versus the current share price.
• The company has an £8.25 billion market capitalization, a P/E ratio of 17.39, and its share price is below both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages.

Rentokil Initial plc (LON:RTO - Get Free Report)'s share price hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as GBX 322.70 and last traded at GBX 328, with a volume of 21125785 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 328.30.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

Rentokil Initial Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.76, a current ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 110.37. The firm has a market cap of £8.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.39, a PEG ratio of 0.56 and a beta of 0.41. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is GBX 375.63 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 434.14.

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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