WH Smith (LON:SMWH) Shares Down 39.5% on Analyst Downgrade

Key Points

• WH Smith's shares plummeted by 39.5%, with stock prices dropping from GBX 1,110 to a low of GBX 646 during trading.
• Despite the decline, analysts maintain a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and set an average price target of GBX 1,430 for the stock.
• The company's market cap currently stands at £849.57 million, with a PE ratio of 13.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 253.13.

WH Smith PLC (LON:SMWH - Get Free Report) shares fell 39.5% during trading on Thursday after Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price target on the stock from GBX 1,030 to GBX 726. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft currently has a hold rating on the stock. WH Smith traded as low as GBX 646 ($8.69) and last traded at GBX 671 ($9.03). 10,576,291 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 2,013% from the average session volume of 500,476 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 1,110 ($14.93).

Other research analysts have also issued reports about the company. Peel Hunt lowered WH Smith to a "hold" rating and lowered their price target for the stock from GBX 1,400 to GBX 755 in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. Canaccord Genuity Group reduced their price objective on WH Smith from GBX 1,460 to GBX 1,350 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, June 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an "overweight" rating on shares of WH Smith in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, WH Smith currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of GBX 1,178.20.

WH Smith Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of £901.27 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.44, a PEG ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 1.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 253.13, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.42. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 1,050.73 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 1,044.22.

About WH Smith

WH Smith PLC operates as a retailer in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates in two segments, Travel and High Street. The Travel segment offers news, books, and convenience for travelling customers. It operates stores in airports, hospitals, railway stations, and motorway service areas.