XPS Pensions Group (LON:XPS) Stock Passes Below Two Hundred Day Moving Average - Here's Why

Key Points

• XPS Pensions Group shares fell below their 200-day moving average, trading as low as GBX 301.50 and closing at GBX 303.50, versus the average of GBX 311.31.
• Despite the technical weakness, analysts remain bullish: six analysts rate the stock “Buy,” with a consensus price target of GBX 451.50 and recent targets ranging from GBX 435 to GBX 485.
• The company reported quarterly revenue of £262.96 million, earnings of GBX 13 per share, a 10.11% net margin and 15.48% return on equity; insider activity included both a purchase and substantial share sales during the quarter.

XPS Pensions Group plc (LON:XPS - Get Free Report)'s stock price crossed below its two hundred day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of GBX 311.31 and traded as low as GBX 301.50. XPS Pensions Group shares last traded at GBX 303.50, with a volume of 609,664 shares.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have commented on XPS. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded shares of XPS Pensions Group to an "outperform" rating and boosted their target price for the stock from GBX 430 to GBX 435 in a report on Wednesday, July 29th. Berenberg Bank reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a GBX 440 price target on shares of XPS Pensions Group in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a "buy" rating and issued a GBX 485 price target on shares of XPS Pensions Group in a report on Thursday, June 11th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group restated a "buy" rating and set a GBX 469 price target on shares of XPS Pensions Group in a research note on Thursday, September 3rd. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, XPS Pensions Group currently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of GBX 451.50.

XPS Pensions Group Trading Down 0.2%

The stock's fifty day simple moving average is GBX 322.19 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 311.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 44.65, a current ratio of 1.67 and a quick ratio of 1.51. The firm has a market cap of £616.20 million, a PE ratio of 24.48 and a beta of 0.34.

XPS Pensions Group (LON:XPS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, June 18th. The company reported GBX 13 earnings per share for the quarter. XPS Pensions Group had a net margin of 10.11% and a return on equity of 15.48%. The firm had revenue of £262.96 million for the quarter.

Insider Transactions at XPS Pensions Group

In other news, insider Michelle Cracknell acquired 5,979 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 20th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 333 per share, with a total value of £19,910.07. Also, insider Snehal Shah sold 26,879 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 340, for a total value of £91,388.60. In the last quarter, insiders sold 1,110,388 shares of company stock worth $373,250,270. 1.03% of the stock is owned by insiders.

XPS Pensions Group Company Profile

XPS Group is a leading UK consulting and administration business specialising in the pensions and insurance sectors. A FTSE 250 company, XPS combines expertise and insight with advanced technology and analytics to address the needs of over 1,300 pension schemes and their sponsoring employers on an ongoing and project basis. We undertake pensions administration for over one million members and provide advisory services to schemes and corporate sponsors in respect of schemes of all sizes, including 83 with assets over £1bn.

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