Unite Group (LON:UTG) Hits New 1-Year Low - Here's What Happened

Key Points

• 52-week low: Unite Group shares fell to a new one-year low of GBX 481 (last GBX 484.36) on heavy volume, trading well below its 50‑day (GBX 559.81) and 200‑day (GBX 593.91) moving averages.
• Analyst view: Analysts are mixed but mildly positive — Berenberg cut its target to GBX 774 (still a "buy"), Panmure Gordon has a GBX 675 "hold," and the consensus is a "Moderate Buy" with an average price target of GBX 884.67.
• Insider activity: Director Richard N. L. Huntingford bought 37,985 shares at GBX 529 on Feb 24, although company insiders collectively own only 0.77% of the stock.

Unite Group PLC (LON:UTG - Get Free Report)'s share price hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as GBX 481 and last traded at GBX 484.36, with a volume of 4669267 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at GBX 497.20.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UTG has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Berenberg Bank dropped their price target on Unite Group from GBX 855 to GBX 774 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 26th. Panmure Gordon reissued a "hold" rating and set a GBX 675 target price on shares of Unite Group in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of GBX 884.67.

Unite Group Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of £2.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.32, a P/E/G ratio of 3.20 and a beta of 1.04. The stock's 50 day moving average price is GBX 559.81 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 593.91. The company has a current ratio of 29.97, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 29.55.

Unite Group (LON:UTG - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 24th. The company reported GBX 47.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Unite Group had a return on equity of 2.03% and a net margin of 30.06%. Analysts expect that Unite Group PLC will post 47.9341004 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Unite Group

In related news, insider Richard N. L. Huntingford acquired 37,985 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 529 per share, for a total transaction of £200,940.65. 0.77% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Unite Group Company Profile

Unite Students is the UK's largest owner, manager and developer of purpose-built student accommodation, serving the country's world-leading Higher Education sector. We provide homes to 70,000 students across 157 properties in 23 leading university towns and cities. We currently partner with over 60 universities across the UK. Our people are driven by a common purpose: to provide a 'Home for Success' for the students who live with us. Unite's accommodation is safe and secure, high quality and affordable.

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