Croda International (LON:CRDA) Stock Crosses Above 200-Day Moving Average After Analyst Downgrade

Croda International Plc (LON:CRDA) shares passed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Friday after JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded the stock to an overweight rating. The stock has a two hundred day moving average of GBX 2,826.57 ($38.10) and traded as high as GBX 2,877 ($38.78). Croda International shares last traded at GBX 2,871 ($38.70), with a volume of 1,014,705 shares trading hands.

Several other brokerages have also issued reports on CRDA. Citigroup lowered their target price on Croda International from GBX 3,550 to GBX 3,300 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 29th. Berenberg Bank reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a GBX 3,800 price target on shares of Croda International in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of GBX 3,087.50.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Steve Foots purchased 3,815 shares of Croda International stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 4th. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 2,617 per share, for a total transaction of £99,838.55. Also, insider Stephen Oxley purchased 3,762 shares of Croda International stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 29th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 2,671 per share, with a total value of £100,483.02. Insiders bought 11,343 shares of company stock valued at $29,823,659 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.83% of the company’s stock.

Croda International Stock Performance

The company has a 50-day moving average of GBX 2,584.83 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 2,826.57. The company has a quick ratio of 2.25, a current ratio of 2.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 30.90. The firm has a market capitalization of £4.01 billion, a PE ratio of 1,864.29, a PEG ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 0.74.

Croda International (LON:CRDA) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 29th. The company reported GBX 72.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Croda International had a return on equity of 6.96% and a net margin of 9.98%. Equities research analysts predict that Croda International Plc will post 181.8307268 EPS for the current year.

About Croda International

Founded in 1925 with the aim of turning bio-based raw materials into innovative ingredients, Croda International is a speciality chemicals company focused on consumer care and life sciences markets. The company is focused on creating, making and selling innovative ingredients that deliver real benefits to a diverse range of customers and employs more than 6,000 people around the world.