Bunzl plc (LON:BNZL) Given Average Rating of "Hold" by Brokerages

Bunzl plc (LON:BNZL - Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of "Hold" by the six analysts that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, two have assigned a hold recommendation and three have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is GBX 3,375 ($43.64).

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on BNZL shares. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated an "underperform" rating and issued a GBX 2,800 ($36.20) price target on shares of Bunzl in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. Citigroup upgraded shares of Bunzl to a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, January 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Bunzl from GBX 3,980 ($51.46) to GBX 4,150 ($53.66) and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, December 5th. Finally, Shore Capital restated a "buy" rating on shares of Bunzl in a report on Monday.

Insider Buying and Selling at Bunzl

In other Bunzl news, insider Frank van Zanten acquired 4,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 6th. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 3,037 ($39.27) per share, for a total transaction of £121,480 ($157,072.67). Insiders own 0.84% of the company's stock.

Bunzl Price Performance

Shares of Bunzl stock traded down GBX 8 ($0.10) during trading on Friday, reaching GBX 2,966 ($38.35). The company's stock had a trading volume of 894,384 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,655,560. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 3,240.74 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 3,394.05. The stock has a market capitalization of £9.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.40 and a beta of 0.45. The company has a current ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 123.00. Bunzl has a one year low of GBX 2,884 ($37.29) and a one year high of GBX 3,732 ($48.25).

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Bunzl (LON:BNZL - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, March 3rd. The company reported GBX 194.30 ($2.51) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Bunzl had a net margin of 4.20% and a return on equity of 16.82%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Bunzl will post 213.3413462 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bunzl Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 2nd. Investors of record on Thursday, May 22nd will be given a GBX 53.80 ($0.70) dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 1.8%. This is an increase from Bunzl's previous dividend of $20.10. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 22nd. Bunzl's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 48.39%.

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.