The Sage Group (LON:SGE) Hits New 12-Month High - What's Next?

The Sage Group plc (LON:SGE - Get Free Report)'s share price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as GBX 1,321 ($16.86) and last traded at GBX 1,317 ($16.80), with a volume of 9991916 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at GBX 1,304 ($16.64).

Analyst Ratings Changes

SGE has been the subject of a number of research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on shares of The Sage Group from GBX 1,170 ($14.93) to GBX 1,350 ($17.23) and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, November 22nd. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of The Sage Group from £135 ($172.26) to £145 ($185.02) and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, November 22nd. Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their price objective on shares of The Sage Group from GBX 970 ($12.38) to GBX 1,090 ($13.91) and gave the company a "sell" rating in a report on Friday, November 22nd. Finally, Shore Capital reiterated a "hold" rating on shares of The Sage Group in a research note on Wednesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of GBX 3,918 ($49.99).

The Sage Group Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of £13.04 billion, a PE ratio of 5,034.62, a P/E/G 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 stock has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 1,086.89 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 1,060.45.

The Sage Group Increases Dividend

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Jonathan Howell sold 27,844 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 1,310 ($16.72), for a total value of £364,756.40 ($465,428.61). Insiders own 1.08% of the company's stock.

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.