The Sage Group (LON:SGE) Hits New 1-Year High - Here's Why

The Sage Group plc (LON:SGE - Get Free Report)'s share price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as GBX 1,349 ($16.73) and last traded at GBX 1,340.50 ($16.63), with a volume of 2220616 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 1,329 ($16.48).

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. Citigroup reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of The Sage Group in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their target price on shares of The Sage Group from GBX 1,170 ($14.51) to GBX 1,350 ($16.75) and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. Shore Capital reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of The Sage Group in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. Canaccord Genuity Group boosted their price objective on shares of The Sage Group from GBX 970 ($12.03) to GBX 1,090 ($13.52) and gave the company a "sell" rating in a research note on Friday, November 22nd. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group reaffirmed a "sell" rating and issued a GBX 1,090 ($13.52) target price on shares of The Sage Group in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, The Sage Group currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of GBX 3,446.67 ($42.75).

The Sage Group Stock Down 0.3 %

The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 1,305.87 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 1,133.19. The company has a market capitalization of £13.17 billion, a PE ratio of 5,084.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 115.72, a current ratio of 0.72 and a quick ratio of 0.58.

The Sage Group (LON:SGE - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 20th. The company reported GBX 37.90 ($0.47) EPS for the quarter. The Sage Group had a return on equity of 22.31% and a net margin of 11.87%. On average, research analysts predict that The Sage Group plc will post 42.1496095 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The Sage Group Increases Dividend

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

Insider Buying and Selling at The Sage Group

In other news, insider Jonathan Howell sold 27,844 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 1,310 ($16.25), for a total transaction of £364,756.40 ($452,439.10). 1.08% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

The Sage Group Company Profile

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.