WH Smith PLC (LON:SMWH) Receives Consensus Rating of "Moderate Buy" from Analysts

Key Points

• "Moderate Buy" consensus from five analysts (three buys, two holds) with an average 1‑year price target of GBX 868.60, versus the current share price around GBX 583.
• Notable insider buying: Helen Rose purchased 7,972 shares at GBX 627 and Max Izzard bought 25,000 shares at GBX 675, with insiders owning 1.03% of the stock.
• Financial risks include a negative PE ratio of -5.14 and extremely high leverage (debt-to-equity 872.78), while the share trades below its 200‑day moving average (GBX 646.87).

Shares of WH Smith PLC (LON:SMWH - Get Free Report) have received an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the five analysts that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is GBX 868.60.

SMWH has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Peel Hunt reissued a "buy" rating and issued a GBX 800 price target on shares of WH Smith in a report on Friday, December 19th. Berenberg Bank dropped their price objective on WH Smith from GBX 700 to GBX 667 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 19th.

Insider Buying and Selling at WH Smith

In related news, insider Helen Rose purchased 7,972 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 8th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 627 per share, for a total transaction of £49,984.44. Also, insider Max Izzard purchased 25,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 29th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 675 per share, with a total value of £168,750. 1.03% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

WH Smith Price Performance

Shares of SMWH opened at GBX 583.28 on Monday. WH Smith has a twelve month low of GBX 519 and a twelve month high of GBX 1,132. The stock's 50 day moving average is GBX 626.53 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 646.87. The firm has a market capitalization of £727.33 million, a PE ratio of -5.14, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 872.78.

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. The High Street segment sells stationery products, including greeting cards, general stationery, art and craft, and gifting products; news and impulse products, such as newspapers, magazines, confectionery, and drinks; and books.

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