WH Smith (LON:SMWH) Trading 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.

Shares of WH Smith PLC (LON:SMWH - Get Free Report) dropped 39.5% 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 ($8.73) and last traded at GBX 671 ($9.07). Approximately 10,576,291 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 2,013% from the average daily volume of 500,476 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 1,110 ($15.00).

A number of other research analysts have also recently issued reports on SMWH. Peel Hunt cut WH Smith to a "hold" rating and cut their price objective for the company from GBX 1,400 to GBX 755 in a report on Thursday. Canaccord Genuity Group cut their price objective on WH Smith from GBX 1,460 to GBX 1,350 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Monday, June 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued an "overweight" rating on shares of WH Smith in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of GBX 1,178.20.

WH Smith Trading Up 11.1%

The business's fifty day simple moving average is GBX 1,058.41 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 1,048.10. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 253.13. The stock has a market cap of £915.43 million, a P/E ratio of 14.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 1.67.

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.