Experian plc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a technology company. The company operates through two segments, Business-to-Business and Consumer Services. It provides data services to identify and understand the customers, as well as to manage the risks related with lending. The company also offers analytical and decision tools that enhance businesses to manage their customers, minimize the risk of fraud, comply with legal requirements, and automate decisions and processes. In addition, it provides financial education, free access to Experian credit reports and scores, online educational tools, and applications to manage their financial position, access credit offers, and protect themselves from identity fraud. The company serves customers in financial service, direct-to-consumer, health, retail, automotive, software and professional services, telecommunications and utility, insurance, media and technology, government and public, and other sectors. It operates in North America, Latin America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company was formerly known as Experian Group Limited and changed its name to Experian plc in July 2008. Experian plc was founded in 1826 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.
Experian Stock Up 1.4 %
Experian stock traded up GBX 39 ($0.47) during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting GBX 2,898 ($35.02). The company had a trading volume of 252,270 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,692,748. The firm has a market capitalization of £26.68 billion and a P/E ratio of 2,775.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 103.17, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.83. The firm's fifty day moving average is GBX 2,590.68 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 2,757.97. Experian has a fifty-two week low of GBX 2,242 ($27.09) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 3,689 ($44.57).
Experian Increases Dividend
The business also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 22nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 23rd were issued a $0.36 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 23rd. This is an increase from Experian's previous dividend of $0.16. This represents a yield of 1.07%. Experian's dividend payout ratio is 47.00%.
Analyst Ratings Changes
Several analysts recently commented on the stock. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Experian from GBX 3,300 ($39.87) to GBX 3,250 ($39.27) and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 18th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a "hold" rating and set a GBX 3,300 ($39.87) target price on shares of Experian in a research note on Thursday, May 19th. Shore Capital reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Experian in a research note on Thursday, July 14th. Citigroup lowered shares of Experian to a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, July 15th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reissued an "equal weight" rating on shares of Experian in a research note on Wednesday, May 11th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of GBX 3,216 ($38.86).
Insider Buying and Selling at Experian
In other news, insider Brian Cassin sold 104,255 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, June 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 2,386 ($28.83), for a total value of £2,487,524.30 ($3,005,708.43). In related news, insider Ruba Borno acquired 937 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 30th. The stock was purchased at an average price of GBX 2,385 ($28.82) per share, for a total transaction of £22,347.45 ($27,002.72). Also, insider Brian Cassin sold 104,255 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 2,386 ($28.83), for a total transaction of £2,487,524.30 ($3,005,708.43).