Analysts Set Guidewire Software, Inc. (NYSE:GWRE) Target Price at $269.50

Shares of Guidewire Software, Inc. (NYSE:GWRE) have been given an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the seventeen analysts that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $269.50.

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Wall Street Zen cut Guidewire Software from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, November 28th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Guidewire Software in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. DA Davidson raised shares of Guidewire Software from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their target price for the stock from $246.00 to $250.00 in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Guidewire Software from $275.00 to $250.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered shares of Guidewire Software from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd.

Guidewire Software Stock Performance

NYSE:GWRE opened at $129.21 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $10.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 123.06, a PEG ratio of 9.05 and a beta of 1.06. The business has a 50 day moving average of $186.75 and a 200 day moving average of $214.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 3.48 and a quick ratio of 3.48. Guidewire Software has a 1-year low of $124.47 and a 1-year high of $272.60.

Guidewire Software (NYSE:GWRE) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, December 3rd. The technology company reported $0.66 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.66. The company had revenue of $332.64 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $316.62 million. Guidewire Software had a return on equity of 10.15% and a net margin of 7.23%.Guidewire Software’s revenue for the quarter was up 26.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.43 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Guidewire Software will post 0.52 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Guidewire Software announced that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Thursday, January 8th that permits the company to buyback $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the technology company to purchase up to 3.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are typically a sign that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Transactions at Guidewire Software

In other Guidewire Software news, CFO Jeffrey Elliott Cooper sold 2,872 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $192.08, for a total transaction of $551,653.76. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 74,201 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $14,252,528.08. This trade represents a 3.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider James Winston King sold 1,860 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $195.00, for a total value of $362,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 33,702 shares in the company, valued at $6,571,890. The trade was a 5.23% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 48,358 shares of company stock worth $9,409,729 in the last ninety days. 0.46% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Guidewire Software

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Advisors Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Guidewire Software in the first quarter worth approximately $25,000. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new stake in Guidewire Software during the third quarter valued at about $29,000. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Guidewire Software during the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Guidewire Software during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Westside Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Guidewire Software in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $32,000.

Guidewire Software Company Profile

Guidewire Software, Inc develops software products and cloud services for property and casualty (P&C) insurance carriers. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, the company’s offerings are designed to help insurers manage the core functions of their business—policy administration, billing and claims—while supporting digital engagement, analytics and operational modernization.

Guidewire’s core product portfolio is commonly known as the InsuranceSuite, which includes PolicyCenter for policy administration, BillingCenter for billing and receivables, and ClaimCenter for claims management.