Bunzl (LON:BNZL) Sets New 12-Month Low - Here's What Happened

Bunzl plc (LON:BNZL - Get Free Report)'s share price reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as GBX 2,218 ($29.68) and last traded at GBX 2,327.73 ($31.15), with a volume of 5287830 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 3,078 ($41.19).

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on BNZL shares. Shore Capital reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Bunzl in a report on Monday, March 31st. Citigroup upgraded shares of Bunzl to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, January 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Bunzl has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of GBX 3,375 ($45.16).

Bunzl Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 123.00, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 0.73. The company has a market cap of £7.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.26, a P/E/G ratio of 5.40 and a beta of 0.45. The company's 50-day simple moving average is GBX 3,026.10 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 3,301.52.

Bunzl (LON:BNZL - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, March 3rd. The company reported GBX 194.30 ($2.60) EPS for the quarter. Bunzl had a return on equity of 16.82% and a net margin of 4.20%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Bunzl plc will post 213.3413462 EPS for the current year.

Bunzl Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 22nd will be given a GBX 53.80 ($0.72) dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 1.8%. This is a boost from Bunzl's previous dividend of $20.10. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 22nd. Bunzl's dividend payout ratio is currently 48.39%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Bunzl

In related news, insider Richard Howes bought 8,479 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 16th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of GBX 2,338 ($31.29) per share, with a total value of £198,239.02 ($265,273.68). Also, insider Frank van Zanten purchased 4,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 6th. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 3,037 ($40.64) per share, for a total transaction of £121,480 ($162,558.54). Insiders own 0.84% of the company's stock.

About Bunzl

Bunzl plc operates as a distribution and services company in the North America, Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and internationally. The company offers food packaging, films, labels, cleaning and hygiene supplies, and personal protection equipment to grocery stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores.