Marks and Spencer Group plc (LON:MKS) Receives Average Rating of “Buy” from Analysts

Shares of Marks and Spencer Group plc (LON:MKS) have been assigned a consensus rating of “Buy” from the six analysts that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is GBX 322.50 ($4.08).

MKS has been the subject of several research reports. Shore Capital restated a “house stock” rating on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Marks and Spencer Group to a “buy” rating and set a GBX 310 ($3.92) target price on the stock in a report on Monday, April 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a GBX 315 ($3.98) price objective on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a research note on Wednesday, May 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a research note on Friday, June 28th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a GBX 350 ($4.43) target price on shares of Marks and Spencer Group in a research note on Friday, June 28th.

Marks and Spencer Group Trading Down 1.1 %

Shares of LON:MKS opened at GBX 285.10 ($3.61) on Wednesday. Marks and Spencer Group has a 52-week low of GBX 183.80 ($2.32) and a 52-week high of GBX 314 ($3.97). The company has a market capitalization of £5.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 1,357.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.20 and a beta of 1.58. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 285.76 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 265.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 115.61, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.80.

Marks and Spencer Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 5th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 30th will be given a dividend of GBX 2 ($0.03) per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 30th. This represents a yield of 0.73%. This is a boost from Marks and Spencer Group’s previous dividend of $1.00. Marks and Spencer Group’s dividend payout ratio is 1,428.57%.

About Marks and Spencer Group

Marks and Spencer Group plc operates various retail stores. It operates through five segments: UK Clothing & Home, UK Food, International, Ocado, and All Other. The company offers protein deli and dairy; produce; ambient and in-store bakery; meals dessert and frozen; and hospitality and Food on the Move' products.