Whitbread (LON:WTB) Share Price Passes Above Two Hundred Day Moving Average - Time to Sell?

Whitbread plc (LON:WTB - Get Free Report)'s stock price passed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of GBX 3,010.52 ($39.04) and traded as high as GBX 3,077 ($39.90). Whitbread shares last traded at GBX 3,063 ($39.72), with a volume of 1,097,498 shares trading hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have commented on WTB shares. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded Whitbread to a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 18th. Berenberg Bank reiterated a "buy" rating and set a GBX 4,000 ($51.87) price objective on shares of Whitbread in a research report on Thursday, October 24th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on shares of Whitbread from GBX 39 ($0.51) to GBX 40 ($0.52) and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. Finally, Shore Capital reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Whitbread in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of GBX 2,746.67 ($35.62).

Whitbread Price Performance

The company has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 3,079.52 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 3,009.47. The company has a market cap of £5.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,914.38, a P/E/G ratio of -3.09 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a quick ratio of 1.74, a current ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 144.72.

Whitbread Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 6th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 31st will be given a GBX 34.60 ($0.45) dividend. This represents a yield of 1.13%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 31st. Whitbread's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 6,062.50%.

Whitbread Company Profile

Whitbread plc operates hotels and restaurants in the United Kingdom, Germany, and internationally. It operates hotels with rooms in the United Kingdom; Middle East; and Germany under the Premier Inn, ZIP by Premier Inn, and hub by Premier Inn brands. The company operates restaurants under the Brewers Fayre, Beefeater, Cookhouse & Pub, Bar+Block Steakhouse, Thyme, and Table Table brands in the United Kingdom.