Paragon Banking Group Shares Climb Above 200-Day Moving Average – Key Developments

On Wednesday, Paragon Banking Group PLC (LON:PAG – Get Free Report) experienced a significant change in its stock performance as it surged above its 200-day moving average. The stock recorded a 200-day moving average at GBX 749.27 ($9.22) and peaked at GBX 761.50 ($9.37) during the trading session. The latest trading price for Paragon Banking Group shares stood at GBX 749.50 ($9.23), with a total volume of 715,954 shares exchanged.

Market Reactions and Analyst Ratings

In recent news, Shore Capital reaffirmed its “buy” rating on Paragon Banking Group shares following a research report published on December 4th. This endorsement suggests continued confidence in the company's prospects within the financial market.

Company Performance Metrics

The financial performance indicators for Paragon Banking Group illustrate a sound operational position. The company holds a current ratio of 1.21 and a quick ratio of 1.48, while its debt-to-equity ratio is notably high at 168.79. With a market capitalization of £1.52 billion, the stock currently reflects a P/E ratio of 1,135.61 along with a P/E/G ratio of 0.50. The 50-day moving average for the stock is recorded at GBX 741.61.

For the latest earnings report, Paragon Banking Group announced its earnings on December 3rd, posting an earnings per share (EPS) of GBX 101.10 ($1.24) for the quarter. The company demonstrated a return on equity at 14.43% with net profit margins reaching 42.60%. Analysts project a future EPS of approximately 104.02 for the current fiscal year.

Dividend Announcement

Adding to its positive outlook, Paragon Banking Group recently declared an increase in its dividend. A dividend of GBX 27.20 ($0.33) will be distributed on March 7th, payable to shareholders recorded as of February 6th. This dividend marks a yield of 3.64%, showing an increase from the previous dividend of £13.20. Importantly, the ex-dividend date is set for February 6th, with the company’s dividend payout ratio standing at 6,060.61%.

Insider Trading Activity

In terms of insider activity, director Richard Woodman purchased 2,241 shares of the company on December 20th at an average price of GBX 730 ($8.99), totaling £16,359.30 ($20,139.48). Additionally, director Nigel S. Terrington acquired 26,962 shares on December 5th at an average cost of GBX 790 ($9.73), leading to a total transaction value of £212,999.80 ($262,218.15). This indicates a strong interest from insiders, with 3.59% of the stock ownership attributed to them.

About Paragon Banking Group

Paragon Banking Group PLC specializes in providing a range of financial products and services within the United Kingdom. Its operations are divided into two main segments: Mortgage Lending and Commercial Lending. The Mortgage Lending segment includes buy-to-let mortgages alongside owner-occupied first and second charge mortgages. The Commercial Lending sector caters to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through various forms of financing such as hire purchase and operating leases.

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