WH Smith (LON:SMWH) Trading Down 38.9% on Analyst Downgrade

Key Points

• WH Smith's stock plunged 38.9% in trading, reaching a low of GBX 676 ($9.10) and a last trade of GBX 678.50 ($9.13), significantly down from a previous close of GBX 1,110 ($14.94).
• Despite the sharp decline, analysts maintain a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" for WH Smith, with four analysts giving it a Buy rating and an average price target of GBX 1,430.
• The company operates primarily in the Travel and High Street segments, focusing on retailing news, books, and convenience products for travelers.

WH Smith PLC (LON:SMWH - Get Free Report) was down 38.9% 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 676 ($9.09) and last traded at GBX 678.50 ($9.13). Approximately 9,162,330 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 1,763% from the average daily volume of 491,748 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 1,110 ($14.93).

SMWH has been the subject of several other research reports. Peel Hunt cut WH Smith to a "hold" rating and cut their price target for the company from GBX 1,400 to GBX 755 in a report on Thursday, August 21st. Canaccord Genuity Group cut their price target 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. reaffirmed an "overweight" rating on shares of WH Smith in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, WH Smith currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of GBX 1,178.20.

WH Smith Stock Down 1.5%

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

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.