Babcock International Group (LON:BAB) Reaches New 1-Year High Following Dividend Announcement

Babcock International Group PLC (LON:BAB) shares hit a new 52-week high on Wednesday following a dividend announcement from the company. The stock traded as high as GBX 594 ($7.64) and last traded at GBX 555 ($7.14), with a volume of 43351195 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 499.20 ($6.42).

The newly announced dividend which will be paid on Friday, January 17th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 5th will be given a GBX 2 ($0.03) dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 5th. This represents a dividend yield of 0.4%. Babcock International Group’s payout ratio is 1,562.50%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on BAB. Bank of America restated a “buy” rating and set a GBX 660 ($8.49) target price on shares of Babcock International Group in a research report on Monday, September 2nd. Shore Capital restated a “buy” rating on shares of Babcock International Group in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Berenberg Bank reiterated a “hold” rating and issued a GBX 565 ($7.27) target price on shares of Babcock International Group in a research report on Wednesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Babcock International Group presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of GBX 585.80 ($7.54).

Babcock International Group Trading Up 3.0 %

The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 245.75. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 480.92 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 511.56. The firm has a market cap of £2.60 billion, a PE ratio of 1,606.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 1.28.

Insider Transactions at Babcock International Group

In related news, insider David Lockwood sold 395,007 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 529 ($6.81), for a total value of £2,089,587.03 ($2,688,955.13). In related news, insider David Lockwood sold 395,007 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 529 ($6.81), for a total transaction of £2,089,587.03 ($2,688,955.13). Also, insider David Mellors sold 276,512 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 501 ($6.45), for a total transaction of £1,385,325.12 ($1,782,685.78). Corporate insiders own 0.78% of the company’s stock.

About Babcock International Group

Babcock International Group PLC, together with its subsidiaries, provides value-add services for aerospace, defense, and security in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, Africa, North America, Australasia, and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Marine, Nuclear, Land, and Aviation.