Beazley (LON:BEZ) Stock Price Up 40.5% – Still a Buy?

Beazley plc (LON:BEZ)’s share price shot up 40.5% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as GBX 1,195 and last traded at GBX 1,152.45. 15,440,655 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 107% from the average session volume of 7,449,580 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 820.

Key Beazley News

Here are the key news stories impacting Beazley this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Takeover interest raises chance of a takeover premium or renewed, improved offers, which could push BEZ’s valuation above current trading levels. Beazley Rejects Initial Zurich Approach as Takeover Talks Loom
• Neutral Sentiment: Announcement increases near‑term volume and volatility; the move may attract activist or rival bidders but also could simply be preliminary talk that does not lead to a deal. Beazley Rejects Initial Zurich Approach as Takeover Talks Loom
• Negative Sentiment: Rejection of the initial bid signals the offer was too low; until a firm, attractive proposal emerges there is uncertainty that could weigh on the stock and prompt short‑term trading swings. Beazley Rejects Initial Zurich Approach as Takeover Talks Loom

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on BEZ shares. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price target on Beazley from GBX 1,000 to GBX 1,100 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on shares of Beazley from GBX 1,000 to GBX 1,040 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 12th. Berenberg Bank decreased their price objective on Beazley from GBX 1,150 to GBX 1,100 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. Peel Hunt reiterated an “add” rating and set a GBX 900 target price on shares of Beazley in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Beazley from GBX 1,050 to GBX 1,025 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, Beazley has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of GBX 1,033.

Beazley Trading Down 1.5%

The stock has a market capitalization of £6.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.63, a PEG ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 0.68. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is GBX 834.24 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 857.33.

Beazley Company Profile

Beazley plc provides risk insurance and reinsurance solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, and internationally. It operates through Cyber Risks, Digital, MAP Risks, Property Risks, and Specialty Risks segments. The Cyber Risk segment underwrites cyber and technology risks. The Digital segment underwrites various marine, contingency, and SME liability risks through digital channels, such as e-trading platforms and broker portals. The MAP Risks segment underwrites marine, portfolio underwriting and political, and contingency business.