The Sage Group (LON:SGE) Reaches New 52-Week High - Time to Buy?

The Sage Group plc (LON:SGE - Get Free Report)'s stock price hit a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The company traded as high as GBX 1,321.50 ($16.61) and last traded at GBX 1,320.50 ($16.60), with a volume of 6086295 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at GBX 1,305 ($16.41).

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have issued reports on SGE shares. Shore Capital reissued a "hold" rating on shares of The Sage Group in a research report on Wednesday, December 4th. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of The Sage Group from £135 ($169.73) to £145 ($182.30) and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, November 22nd. Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their price target on shares of The Sage Group from GBX 970 ($12.20) to GBX 1,090 ($13.70) and gave the stock a "sell" rating in a research note on Friday, November 22nd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their target price on The Sage Group from GBX 1,170 ($14.71) to GBX 1,350 ($16.97) and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, November 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of GBX 3,918 ($49.26).

The Sage Group Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 115.72. The stock has a market capitalization of £13.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 5,089.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.53. The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 1,126.86 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 1,069.67.

The Sage Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 11th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 9th will be issued a GBX 13.50 ($0.17) dividend. This is an increase from The Sage Group's previous dividend of $6.95. This represents a dividend yield of 1.25%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 9th. The Sage Group's payout ratio is presently 7,692.31%.

Insider Activity

In other The Sage Group news, insider Jonathan Howell sold 27,844 shares of The Sage Group stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 1,310 ($16.47), for a total value of £364,756.40 ($458,582.35). Company insiders own 1.08% of the company's stock.

About The Sage Group

The Sage Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides technology solutions and services for small and medium businesses in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and internationally. It offers cloud native solutions, such as Sage Intacct, a cloud accounting software product and financial management software; Sage People, a HR and people management solution; Sage 200, a finance and business management solution; Sage X3, a business management solution; Sage Accounting, a solution for small businesses, accountants, and bookkeepers to manage customer data, accounts, and people; Sage Payroll for small businesses manage their payroll; and Sage HR for small and mid-sized businesses for record management, leave management, staff scheduling, and expenses services.