The Sage Group (LON:SGE) Hits New 52-Week Low – Here’s Why

The Sage Group plc (LON:SGE)’s share price hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as GBX 1,024.27 and last traded at GBX 1,025, with a volume of 314290625 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 1,041.50.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on SGE shares. Panmure Gordon reaffirmed a “hold” rating and issued a GBX 1,300 price objective on shares of The Sage Group in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price target on The Sage Group from GBX 1,250 to GBX 1,200 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday. Shore Capital reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of The Sage Group 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. Finally, 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. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of GBX 1,250.

The Sage Group Price Performance

The company has a market cap of £9.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.53. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 1,071.71 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 1,116.96. 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 return on equity of 24.48% and a net margin of 11.87%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that The Sage Group plc will post 42.1496095 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The Sage Group announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Wednesday, November 19th that allows the company to repurchase 0 outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to buy shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling

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

The Sage Group Company Profile

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.