Marston’s (LON:MARS) Stock Crosses Above 200-Day Moving Average – Should You Sell?

Marston’s PLC (LON:MARS)’s stock price passed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of GBX 50.64 and traded as high as GBX 61. Marston’s shares last traded at GBX 59.70, with a volume of 870,938 shares.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently weighed in on MARS. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Marston’s from GBX 78 to GBX 85 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Peel Hunt reiterated a “buy” rating and set a GBX 75 price objective on shares of Marston’s in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Shore Capital Group reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Marston’s in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Panmure Gordon reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a GBX 80 price target on shares of Marston’s in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price of GBX 80.

Marston’s Stock Up 1.6%

The company has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 61.95 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 50.64. The firm has a market capitalization of £379.15 million, a PE ratio of 5.40, a P/E/G ratio of -0.16 and a beta of 1.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 198.96, a current ratio of 0.36 and a quick ratio of 0.23.

Marston’s (LON:MARS) last released its earnings results on Monday, December 15th. The company reported GBX 8.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Marston’s had a negative return on equity of 2.72% and a negative net margin of 1.91%. Analysts forecast that Marston’s PLC will post 8.364486 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Marston’s

In related news, insider Justin Platt acquired 158,309 shares of Marston’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 24th. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 59 per share, for a total transaction of £93,402.31. 1.36% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About Marston’s

Marston’s PLC operates managed, franchised, tenanted, partnership, and leased pubs in the United Kingdom. It is also involved in the property management; telecommunications; and insurance businesses. The company was formerly known as The Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries PLC and changed its name to Marston’s PLC in January 2007. The company was founded in 1834 and is based in Wolverhampton, the United Kingdom.