XPS Pensions Group (LON:XPS) Trading 11.1% Higher - Here's Why

XPS Pensions Group plc (LON:XPS - Get Free Report) was up 11.1% during mid-day trading on Saturday . The stock traded as high as GBX 397 ($5.00) and last traded at GBX 385.45 ($4.85). Approximately 3,388,795 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 125% from the average daily volume of 1,504,858 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 347 ($4.37).

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently commented on XPS shares. Canaccord Genuity Group reissued a "buy" rating and issued a GBX 401 ($5.05) price target on shares of XPS Pensions Group in a research report on Thursday, November 21st. Shore Capital reissued a "hold" rating on shares of XPS Pensions Group in a research report on Thursday, November 21st. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a "buy" rating and issued a GBX 435 ($5.47) price target on shares of XPS Pensions Group in a report on Friday, November 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, XPS Pensions Group presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of GBX 356.50 ($4.49).

XPS Pensions Group Trading Up 0.2 %

The company's 50-day moving average is GBX 346.62 and its 200 day moving average is GBX 332.88. The company has a market cap of £838.38 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.26 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a quick ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 17.52.

XPS Pensions Group (LON:XPS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 21st. The company reported GBX 9.40 ($0.12) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. XPS Pensions Group had a net margin of 128.13% and a return on equity of 156.24%.

XPS Pensions Group Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 7th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 9th were paid a GBX 3.70 ($0.05) dividend. This represents a yield of 1.03%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 9th. XPS Pensions Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 8.03%.

Insider Buying and Selling at XPS Pensions Group

In other news, insider Alan Bannatyne purchased 13,033 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 21st. The stock was acquired at an average cost of GBX 349 ($4.39) per share, for a total transaction of £45,485.17 ($57,235.65). 5.14% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

XPS Pensions Group Company Profile

XPS Group is a leading UK consulting and administration business specialising in the pensions and insurance sectors. A FTSE 250 company, XPS combines expertise and insight with advanced technology and analytics to address the needs of over 1,400 pension schemes and their sponsoring employers on an ongoing and project basis.