Smiths Group (LON:SMIN) Hits New 1-Year Low – Time to Sell?

Smiths Group plc (LON:SMIN) hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as low as GBX 1,514.66 ($19.72) and last traded at GBX 1,518 ($19.76), with a volume of 781900 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 1,533 ($19.96).

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Berenberg Bank began coverage on Smiths Group in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. They set a “buy” rating and a GBX 1,850 ($24.08) price target for the company.

Smiths Group Stock Performance

The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is GBX 1,686.40 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 1,701.21. The company has a market capitalization of £5.22 billion, a PE ratio of 2,129.17, a PEG ratio of 0.35 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a quick ratio of 1.29, a current ratio of 2.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 29.84.

Smiths Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 22nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 17th will be paid a dividend of GBX 30.20 ($0.39) per share. This represents a dividend yield of 1.66%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 17th. This is an increase from Smiths Group’s previous dividend of $13.55. Smiths Group’s payout ratio is 6,111.11%.

Insider Activity at Smiths Group

In related news, insider Karin Hoeing bought 370 shares of Smiths Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 1st. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 1,530 ($19.92) per share, with a total value of £5,661 ($7,369.17). In other news, insider Karin Hoeing purchased 370 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 1st. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 1,530 ($19.92) per share, with a total value of £5,661 ($7,369.17). Also, insider Roland Carter sold 25,893 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 1,621 ($21.10), for a total transaction of £419,725.53 ($546,375.33). 0.61% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Smiths Group

Smiths Group plc operates as a technology company in Americas, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. It operates through four divisions: John Crane, Smiths Detection, Flex-Tek, and Smiths Interconnect. The John Crane division offers mechanical seals, seal support systems, power transmission couplings, and specialized filtration systems.