Rentokil Initial PLC (NYSE:RTO) Given Consensus Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Analysts

Key Points

• Analyst consensus is “Moderate Buy”: Seven analysts rate Rentokil Initial a buy, one a strong buy, four a hold and two a sell. The average 12-month price target is $31.90.
• Shares opened at $24.72, near the company’s 12-month low of $23.26 and below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages of $29.04 and $31.07, respectively.
• Rentokil Initial declared a $0.224 per-share dividend, payable September 22 to shareholders of record August 14; institutional investors own approximately 9.91% of the stock.

Shares of Rentokil Initial PLC (NYSE:RTO - Get Free Report) have been assigned an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the fourteen analysts that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have issued a hold recommendation, seven have given a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $31.90.

RTO has been the subject of several recent research reports. Zacks Research cut shares of Rentokil Initial from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a research report on Monday, June 15th. BNP Paribas Exane cut Rentokil Initial from an "outperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $26.70 price objective for the company. in a research report on Friday, July 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Rentokil Initial from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, July 6th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Rentokil Initial from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, July 20th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a "hold" rating on shares of Rentokil Initial in a research note on Monday.

Rentokil Initial Price Performance

RTO opened at $24.72 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.16. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $29.04 and its 200 day moving average price is $31.07. Rentokil Initial has a twelve month low of $23.26 and a twelve month high of $34.67.

Rentokil Initial Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 22nd. Investors of record on Friday, August 14th will be given a dividend of $0.224 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 192.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd grew its holdings in Rentokil Initial by 222.2% in the fourth quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 1,163 shares of the company's stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 802 shares during the period. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC acquired a new position in shares of Rentokil Initial in the 4th quarter valued at $39,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Rentokil Initial by 84.5% during the 1st quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 1,395 shares of the company's stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 639 shares during the period. IFP Advisors Inc increased its holdings in shares of Rentokil Initial by 53.8% during the 3rd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 1,972 shares of the company's stock worth $50,000 after buying an additional 690 shares during the last quarter. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Rentokil Initial by 296.3% in the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,954 shares of the company's stock worth $58,000 after buying an additional 1,461 shares during the period. 9.91% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Rentokil Initial Company Profile

Rentokil Initial PLC is a global business services company specializing in pest control, hygiene and workwear services. Headquartered in Crawley, West Sussex, United Kingdom, the company delivers outsourced solutions designed to protect people, preserve assets and enhance workplaces for both commercial and residential customers.

Under the Rentokil Pest Control brand, the company offers services ranging from routine inspections and treatment of insects, rodents and birds to specialised programmes for food manufacturing and healthcare environments.

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