Ryanair (NASDAQ:RYAAY) Hits New 12-Month High - Here's What Happened

Key Points

• Ryanair's stock reached a new 52-week high of $65.33 with a volume of 178,212 shares traded, indicating strong investor interest.
• Analysts show optimism for Ryanair, with multiple upgrades including a "strong-buy" rating and a consensus target price of $111.50.
• The company announced an increased dividend of $0.534 per share, representing a 120.0% yield, a notable rise from its previous dividend.

Ryanair Holdings PLC (NASDAQ:RYAAY - Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $65.23 and last traded at $65.33, with a volume of 178212 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $63.67.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have commented on RYAAY. Wall Street Zen raised Ryanair from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, July 26th. Citigroup restated a "buy" rating on shares of Ryanair in a research report on Wednesday, May 21st. Oddo Bhf raised Ryanair from an "underperform" rating to an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a "strong-buy" rating and issued a $76.00 price target (up previously from $70.00) on shares of Ryanair in a research note on Wednesday, July 23rd. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reissued an "outperform" rating on shares of Ryanair in a research note on Wednesday, May 21st. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $111.50.

Ryanair Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $35.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.64, a P/E/G ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 1.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a current ratio of 0.66. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $59.65 and a 200-day moving average price of $51.85.

Ryanair (NASDAQ:RYAAY - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 21st. The transportation company reported $1.74 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.49 by $0.25. The business had revenue of $5.07 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.16 billion. Ryanair had a return on equity of 27.91% and a net margin of 14.42%. Research analysts predict that Ryanair Holdings PLC will post 3.09 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Ryanair Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a -- dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 25th. Investors of record on Friday, August 8th will be paid a $0.534 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 12th. This is a positive change from Ryanair's previous -- dividend of $0.47. This represents a yield of 120.0%. Ryanair's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 14.55%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ryanair

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in RYAAY. Captrust Financial Advisors raised its position in shares of Ryanair by 9.4% in the second quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 10,210 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $589,000 after buying an additional 878 shares in the last quarter. Two Sigma Securities LLC bought a new stake in Ryanair in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $566,000. Teewinot Capital Advisers L.L.C. grew its position in shares of Ryanair by 5.0% during the 2nd quarter. Teewinot Capital Advisers L.L.C. now owns 693,149 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $39,974,000 after acquiring an additional 33,072 shares during the period. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC lifted its stake in shares of Ryanair by 58.0% during the 2nd quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC now owns 75,803 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $4,372,000 after buying an additional 27,838 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MML Investors Services LLC lifted its stake in Ryanair by 6.6% in the 2nd quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 32,750 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $1,889,000 after purchasing an additional 2,035 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 43.66% of the company's stock.

Ryanair Company Profile

Ryanair Holdings plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides scheduled-passenger airline services in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and internationally. It is also involved in the provision of various ancillary services, such as non-flight scheduled and Internet-related services, as well as in-flight sale of beverages, food, duty-free, and merchandise; and markets car hire, travel insurance, and accommodation services through its website and mobile app.