Bellway (LON:BWY) Sets New 1-Year Low - Here's What Happened

Bellway p.l.c. (LON:BWY - Get Free Report)'s stock price reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as GBX 2,246 ($27.64) and last traded at GBX 2,256 ($27.76), with a volume of 610941 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 2,314 ($28.47).

Analysts Set New Price Targets

BWY has been the subject of several analyst reports. Berenberg Bank raised their target price on Bellway from GBX 2,900 ($35.68) to GBX 3,200 ($39.37) and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Bellway to an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, December 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of GBX 3,204.20 ($39.43).

Bellway Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of £2.66 billion, a PE ratio of 1,245.79, a PEG ratio of 3.40 and a beta of 1.46. The company has a quick ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 5.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.78. The company has a 50-day moving average of GBX 2,505.89 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 2,788.83.

Bellway Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 8th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 28th were issued a dividend of GBX 38 ($0.47) per share. This is a positive change from Bellway's previous dividend of $16.00. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 28th. This represents a dividend yield of 1.15%. Bellway's payout ratio is presently 6,166.67%.

Insider Activity at Bellway

In related news, insider Keith Adey sold 27,303 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 3,257 ($40.08), for a total value of £889,258.71 ($1,094,202.92). Also, insider Simon Scougall purchased 515 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 26th. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 2,528 ($31.11) per share, for a total transaction of £13,019.20 ($16,019.69). 3.73% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

About Bellway

Bellway p.l.c., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the home building business in the United Kingdom. The company builds and sells homes ranging from one-bedroom apartments to six-bedroom family homes, as well as provides homes to housing associations for social housing. It offers homes under Bellway, Ashberry, and Bellway London brands.