The Sage Group (LON:SGE) Hits New 52-Week Low on Analyst Downgrade

The Sage Group plc (LON:SGE) shares hit a new 52-week low during mid-day 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.

Other analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of The Sage Group from GBX 1,500 to GBX 1,300 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective 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. Shore Capital reissued a “hold” rating on shares of The Sage Group in a research report on Tuesday. Canaccord Genuity Group reiterated a “hold” rating and set a GBX 1,100 price target on shares of The Sage Group in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, 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. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, The Sage Group has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of GBX 1,240.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Jonathan Howell sold 88,727 shares of the business’s 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 value of £944,942.55. Also, insider Steve Hare sold 127,828 shares of the business’s 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 £1,361,368.20. 0.95% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

The Sage Group Stock Down 4.1%

The firm has a market capitalization of £9.08 billion, a PE ratio of 25.70, 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 company’s fifty day simple moving average is GBX 1,064.35 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 1,110.45.

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

The Sage Group declared that its board has authorized a share buyback plan on Wednesday, November 19th that authorizes the company to buyback 0 shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to reacquire shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are generally an indication that the company’s leadership 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.