Marks and Spencer Group (LON:MKS) Stock Passes Above Two Hundred Day Moving Average – Should You Sell?

Marks and Spencer Group plc (LON:MKS) crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 352.63 and traded as high as GBX 356.20. Marks and Spencer Group shares last traded at GBX 347.90, with a volume of 14,989,647 shares traded.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have commented on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “buy” rating and issued a GBX 435 price target on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a report on Thursday, May 21st. Berenberg Bank increased their price objective on shares of Marks and Spencer Group from GBX 415 to GBX 480 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, May 21st. Citigroup decreased their target price on shares of Marks and Spencer Group from GBX 410 to GBX 390 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 22nd. Shore Capital Group restated a “house stock” rating on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a report on Wednesday, May 20th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a GBX 440 price target on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a research report on Thursday, May 21st. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of GBX 418.57.

Marks and Spencer Group Stock Performance

The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 348.58 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 352.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 111.89, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.42. The stock has a market cap of £7.15 billion, a PE ratio of 28.28, a P/E/G ratio of 0.20 and a beta of 1.02.

Marks and Spencer Group (LON:MKS) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 20th. The retailer reported GBX 23.80 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of GBX 1,727.36 billion during the quarter. Marks and Spencer Group had a return on equity of 8.86% and a net margin of 1.50%. Equities analysts predict that Marks and Spencer Group plc will post 26.0113154 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Marks and Spencer Group

In related news, insider Alison Dolan sold 85,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 359, for a total transaction of £305,150. Company insiders own 0.49% of the company’s stock.

Marks and Spencer Group Company Profile

M&S has a heritage of quality, innovation and value for money and has been voted the UK’s most trusted brand. From these foundations, M&S is reshaping for sustainable profitable growth and value creation.

We operate as a family of businesses, selling high-quality, great-value, own-brand products and services, alongside a carefully selected range of third-party brands. We do this through a network of stores and websites globally, and together, across our stores, support centres, warehouses and supply chain, our 65,000 colleagues serve over 30 million customers each year.