Rentokil Initial plc (NYSE:RTO) Receives Average Recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from Analysts

Shares of Rentokil Initial plc (NYSE:RTO - Get Free Report) have been given an average rating of "Moderate Buy" by the eight brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, one has given a buy recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $29.00.

Several research firms have recently commented on RTO. Citigroup upgraded Rentokil Initial to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, December 13th. Redburn Atlantic lowered shares of Rentokil Initial from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, September 19th.

Institutional Trading of Rentokil Initial

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. River Road Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Rentokil Initial during the third quarter worth $44,055,000. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company boosted its holdings in Rentokil Initial by 130.7% during the 2nd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 1,839,135 shares of the company's stock worth $54,530,000 after acquiring an additional 1,041,860 shares during the last quarter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Rentokil Initial in the 3rd quarter worth $25,764,000. Janus Henderson Group PLC raised its holdings in shares of Rentokil Initial by 3.8% in the third quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 16,990,179 shares of the company's stock valued at $423,573,000 after purchasing an additional 617,227 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Maverick Capital Ltd. bought a new position in shares of Rentokil Initial during the third quarter valued at about $14,820,000. 9.91% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Rentokil Initial Stock Down 1.1 %

RTO stock traded down $0.27 during trading on Thursday, reaching $25.28. 1,627,915 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 734,905. The firm's 50 day moving average is $25.53 and its 200 day moving average is $27.83. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75. Rentokil Initial has a twelve month low of $22.40 and a twelve month high of $34.07.

About Rentokil Initial

Rentokil Initial plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides route-based services in North America, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and internationally. It offers a range of pest control services for rodents, and flying and crawling insects, as well as other forms of wildlife management for commercial customers.