WH Smith (LON:SMWH) Reaches New 1-Year Low – Here’s What Happened

WH Smith PLC (LON:SMWH) shares hit a new 52-week low during trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as GBX 378.20 and last traded at GBX 379, with a volume of 253593 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at GBX 384.82.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have commented on SMWH. Berenberg Bank reduced their price target on WH Smith from GBX 574 to GBX 420 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, June 16th. Canaccord Genuity Group lowered their price objective on WH Smith from GBX 680 to GBX 555 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, June 24th. UBS Group reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a GBX 600 price objective on shares of WH Smith in a research note on Friday, June 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on WH Smith from GBX 700 to GBX 575 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, June 17th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their target price on shares of WH Smith from GBX 550 to GBX 390 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, June 11th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of GBX 570.

WH Smith Stock Down 1.5%

The firm has a 50 day moving average of GBX 417.40 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 498.23. The firm has a market cap of £570.39 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -3.92, a PEG ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a quick ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 846.40.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Leo Quinn purchased 365,853 shares of WH Smith stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 10th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of GBX 410 per share, for a total transaction of £1,499,997.30. Also, insider Situl Jobanputra purchased 3,658 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 10th. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 410 per share, with a total value of £14,997.80. In the last three months, insiders purchased 436,832 shares of company stock worth $179,485,200. Company insiders own 1.05% of the company’s stock.

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.