Auction Technology Group (LON:ATG) Trading 12.6% Higher – Here’s What Happened

Auction Technology Group plc (LON:ATG) was up 12.6% during trading on Saturday . The stock traded as high as GBX 370 and last traded at GBX 362. Approximately 1,920,300 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 100% from the average daily volume of 958,306 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 321.50.

Auction Technology Group News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Auction Technology Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: FitzWalter has increased its takeover bid for Auction Technology, lifting deal expectations and pushing the stock higher. Auction Technology shares rise as FitzWalter increases takeover bid
• Positive Sentiment: Reports say FitzWalter is considering an increased takeover offer, which traders interpret as a stronger chance of a deal at a higher premium. Auction Technology surges as FitzWalter considers increased takeover offer
• Positive Sentiment: Coverage highlights a shareholder signalling a higher offer proposal, reinforcing market hopes of a bidding upgrade and driving buying interest. Auction Technology Shares Jump After Shareholder Indicates Higher Offer Proposal
• Positive Sentiment: Multiple outlets report the buyout talks peg the transaction value in the ~£400–£500m range (one article cites ~$658m), which lifts headline valuation expectations for ATG. Auction Technology Group stock soars after increased takeover offer
• Positive Sentiment: Coverage summarises FitzWalter Capital raising its buyout bid for Auction Technology, citing rounded deal values (one outlet frames the offer at ~$658m). FitzWalter Capital raises buyout bid for UK’s Auction Technology to $658 million
• Positive Sentiment: The company’s biggest shareholder has reportedly tabled a further (twelfth) bid valued at about £491m, signalling persistent deal momentum. Auction Technology Group’s biggest shareholder tables twelfth bid worth £491m
• Neutral Sentiment: These reports are largely about negotiations and indications rather than a final agreed and recommended offer — the board, competing bidders, and any regulatory review still determine outcome and timing, so execution risk remains. Auction Technology Shares Jump After Shareholder Indicates Higher Offer Proposal

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have issued reports on ATG. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price target on Auction Technology Group from GBX 415 to GBX 315 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Auction Technology Group from GBX 690 to GBX 695 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Berenberg Bank cut their target price on shares of Auction Technology Group from GBX 560 to GBX 460 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 27th. Finally, Peel Hunt decreased their price target on shares of Auction Technology Group from GBX 730 to GBX 460 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, December 2nd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Auction Technology Group presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of GBX 549.

Auction Technology Group Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of £438.34 million, a P/E ratio of -3.06 and a beta of 1.29. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 291.14 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 338.17. The company has a current ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 1.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.16.

About Auction Technology Group

Auction Technology Group plc (“ATG”) is the operator of the world’s leading marketplaces and auction services for curated online auctions, seamlessly connecting bidders from around the world to over 3,800 trusted auction houses across two major sectors: Industrial & Commercial (“I&C”) and Art & Antiques (“A&A”).

The Group powers eight online marketplaces and listing sites using its proprietary auction platform technology, hosting in excess of 70,000 live and timed auctions each year. ATG has been supporting the auction industry since 1971 and the Group has offices in the UK, US and Germany.