WH Smith (LON:SMWH) Stock Price Down 33% Following Analyst Downgrade

Key Points

• WH Smith's stock price dropped 33% on Thursday, trading as low as GBX 743.50 ($10.00) from a previous closing price of GBX 1,110 ($14.94).
• Despite the plunge, Wall Street analysts maintain a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" with a price target of GBX 1,430, although Canaccord Genuity lowered their price objective from GBX 1,460 to GBX 1,350.
• WH Smith has a market capitalization of approximately £855.72 million and operates primarily in the Travel and High Street segments, offering products in airports, hospitals, and other locations.

WH Smith PLC (LON:SMWH - Get Free Report) traded down 33% during mid-day 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 743.50 ($10.00) and last traded at GBX 744 ($10.01). 7,481,961 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 1,454% from the average session volume of 481,375 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 1,110 ($14.93).

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

WH Smith Trading Down 1.5%

The firm's 50 day moving average is GBX 1,050.73 and its 200 day moving average is GBX 1,044.22. The company has a market cap of £901.27 million, a PE 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.

WH Smith Company Profile

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.