Royal Bank of Canada (TSE:RY) Given Average Recommendation of "Buy" by Analysts

Shares of Royal Bank of Canada (TSE:RY - Get Free Report) NYSE: RY have received a consensus recommendation of "Buy" from the ten analysts that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and three have issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1 year target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is C$181.67.

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the stock. National Bankshares lifted their price target on shares of Royal Bank of Canada from C$181.00 to C$188.00 in a research note on Thursday, December 5th. Canaccord Genuity Group increased their price target on shares of Royal Bank of Canada from C$188.00 to C$191.00 in a research report on Thursday, December 5th. TD Securities lowered their price objective on Royal Bank of Canada from C$180.00 to C$178.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 28th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on Royal Bank of Canada from C$195.00 to C$193.00 in a report on Thursday, December 5th. Finally, Scotiabank lowered their price target on Royal Bank of Canada from C$197.00 to C$191.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 20th.

Insider Buying and Selling at Royal Bank of Canada

In related news, Senior Officer Douglas Antony Guzman sold 1,538 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$177.09, for a total value of C$272,363.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 25 shares in the company, valued at C$4,427.24. This represents a 98.40 % decrease in their position. Also, Senior Officer Graeme Ashley Hepworth sold 308 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$169.67, for a total transaction of C$52,257.10. Insiders sold 42,762 shares of company stock valued at $7,379,177 in the last ninety days.

Royal Bank of Canada Trading Up 1.9 %

TSE:RY traded up C$2.95 on Tuesday, reaching C$160.00. The stock had a trading volume of 2,657,048 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,370,961. Royal Bank of Canada has a 12-month low of C$131.57 and a 12-month high of C$180.45. The stock has a market cap of C$226.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a 50-day moving average of C$170.56 and a 200 day moving average of C$170.40.

Royal Bank of Canada Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 23rd. Investors of record on Thursday, April 24th will be issued a $1.48 dividend. This represents a $5.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.70%. Royal Bank of Canada's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 49.49%.

Royal Bank of Canada Company Profile

Royal Bank of Canada operates as a diversified financial service company worldwide. The company's Personal & Commercial Banking segment offers checking and savings accounts, home equity financing, personal lending, private banking, indirect lending, including auto financing, mutual funds and self-directed brokerage accounts, guaranteed investment certificates, credit cards, and payment products and solutions; and lending, leasing, deposit, investment, foreign exchange, cash management, auto dealer financing, trade products, and services to small and medium-sized commercial businesses.