Intertek Group (LON:ITRK) Hits New 52-Week Low - What You Should Know

Intertek Group plc (LON:ITRK) saw its shares fall to a new 52-week low during trading on Wednesday. The stock dipped to as low as GBX 4,872 ($63.08) before finally trading at GBX 4,852 ($63.08). In total, 2,645,912 shares changed hands, showing significant activity around this decline. The previous closing price for the stock was GBX 4,866 ($63.26).

Get Intertek Group alerts:

Analysts Provide Insights on Future Growth

In light of these recent events, several research analysts have provided updates on Intertek Group. Berenberg Bank increased their price target for the stock from GBX 5,800 ($75.40) to GBX 6,000 ($78.00), issuing a "buy" rating in their report released on March 5th. Similarly, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target from GBX 5,400 ($70.20) to GBX 5,500 ($71.50) and also rated the stock as "overweight" as of December 5th. Conversely, Shore Capital has maintained a "sell" rating in their findings, shared on March 11th. Currently, one analyst rates the stock as a sell, while four have assigned it a buy rating. Overall, MarketBeat indicates that Intertek Group holds an average rating of "Moderate Buy" with an estimated price target of GBX 5,675 ($73.78).

Recent Stock Movements

Intertek Group's current stock reflects a slight increase of 0.5%. The 50-day moving average stands at GBX 5,074.33, while the 200-day moving average is at GBX 4,909.29. Financial ratios for the company indicate a debt-to-equity ratio of 103.83, a quick ratio of 1.19, and a current ratio of 1.27. The market capitalization of Intertek Group is estimated at £7.85 billion, with a price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 25.48 and a price-to-earnings-growth (PEG) ratio of 1.99. Additionally, the stock has a beta of 0.63, showing its volatility compared to the overall market.

Dividend Announcement by Intertek Group

The company recently announced an upcoming dividend, set to be paid on Friday, June 20th. Shareholders recorded as of Thursday, May 29th, will receive a dividend of GBX 102.60 ($1.33). The ex-dividend date is also on May 29th, representing a yield of 2.11%. This figure reflects an increase from the company’s previous dividend of $53.90, showcasing a commitment to returning value to shareholders, with a payout ratio currently at 66.71%.

Recent Insider Trading Activities

In a related update, insider Steven L. Mogford purchased 121 shares of Intertek Group on March 13th at an average price of GBX 4,892 ($63.60), totaling approximately £5,919.32 ($7,695.42). In contrast, insider Andre Lacroix sold 39,498 shares on March 11th at an average price of GBX 4,994 ($64.92), with the total amount reaching around £1,972,530.12 ($2,564,391.73). It is worth noting that insiders own about 0.45% of the company's total shares.

About Intertek Group

Intertek is a prominent provider of Total Quality Assurance services to various industries across the globe. With over 1,000 laboratories and offices in more than 100 countries, Intertek delivers tailored Assurance, Testing, Inspection, and Certification solutions aimed at enhancing quality, safety, and sustainability in client operations and supply chains.

Investment Considerations

Before making any investment decisions regarding Intertek Group, it is essential to evaluate current market trends. While the stock currently holds a Moderate Buy rating from analysts, many advisors believe there are other stocks that offer better potential returns. Investors should conduct thorough research before choosing to invest.

Intertek, Stocks, Investment