The Sage Group (LON:SGE) Sets New 12-Month Low on Analyst Downgrade

The Sage Group plc (LON:SGE)’s stock price hit a new 52-week low during trading on Wednesday after Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price target on the stock from GBX 1,200 to GBX 1,150. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft currently has a hold rating on the stock. The Sage Group traded as low as GBX 988.60 and last traded at GBX 989.60, with a volume of 6000409 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 1,043.

A number of other research analysts have also issued reports on the stock. Panmure Gordon reiterated a “hold” rating and set a GBX 1,300 price target on shares of The Sage Group in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on The Sage Group from GBX 1,320 to GBX 1,350 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Canaccord Genuity Group reiterated a “hold” rating and issued a GBX 1,100 price objective on shares of The Sage Group in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of The Sage Group from GBX 1,500 to GBX 1,300 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Finally, Shore Capital reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of The Sage Group in a research note on Tuesday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, The Sage Group currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of GBX 1,240.

Insider Activity at The Sage Group

In related news, insider Steve Hare sold 127,828 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 1,065, for a total value of £1,361,368.20. Also, insider Jonathan Howell sold 88,727 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 1,065, for a total transaction of £944,942.55. Insiders own 0.95% of the company’s stock.

The Sage Group Trading Up 0.6%

The business has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 1,067.10 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 1,111.54. The firm has a market cap of £9.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.53. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 114.00.

The Sage Group (LON:SGE) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The company reported GBX 43.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The Sage Group had a net margin of 11.87% and a return on equity of 24.48%. As a group, research analysts expect that The Sage Group plc will post 42.1496095 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The Sage Group declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, November 19th that permits the company to repurchase 0 shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to buy shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often an indication that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

About The Sage Group

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.