Compass Group (LON:CPG) Stock Passes Above 200 Day Moving Average - Here's Why

Compass Group PLC (LON:CPG - Get Free Report) crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 2,447.14 ($29.88) and traded as high as GBX 2,734 ($33.38). Compass Group shares last traded at GBX 2,732 ($33.36), with a volume of 3,965,923 shares changing hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have weighed in on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price objective on shares of Compass Group from GBX 2,500 ($30.53) to GBX 2,600 ($31.75) and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Berenberg Bank increased their price target on Compass Group from GBX 2,460 ($30.04) to GBX 2,900 ($35.41) and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of GBX 2,675 ($32.66).

Compass Group Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 89.31. The firm has a market capitalization of £45.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3,548.68, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.81. The company's 50 day moving average is GBX 2,650.18 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 2,450.63.

Compass Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 27th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 16th will be issued a $0.39 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 16th. This represents a yield of 1.17%. This is an increase from Compass Group's previous dividend of $0.21. Compass Group's payout ratio is currently 5,789.47%.

Insider Activity

In other Compass Group news, insider Palmer Brown acquired 9,401 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 16th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of GBX 2,656 ($32.43) per share, for a total transaction of £249,690.56 ($304,872.48). Also, insider Dominic Blakemore sold 119,821 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 2,692 ($32.87), for a total transaction of £3,225,581.32 ($3,938,438.73). 0.15% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Compass Group Company Profile

Compass Group PLC is a world leading food service company, which generated annual revenues of £31.3 billion in the year to 30 September 2023. It serves meals to millions of people in c. 35 countries and employs and engages with c. 550,000 people. The Company specialises in providing food and a range of targeted support services across the core sectors of Business & Industry, Healthcare & Senior Living, Education, Sports & Leisure and Defence, Offshore & Remote, with an established brand portfolio.