XPS Pensions Group (LON:XPS) Given “Buy” Rating at Berenberg Bank

XPS Pensions Group (LON:XPS)‘s stock had its “buy” rating reaffirmed by analysts at Berenberg Bank in a research report issued on Friday, Digital Look reports. They currently have a GBX 440 target price on the stock. Berenberg Bank’s price target indicates a potential upside of 29.03% from the stock’s current price.

Other analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded shares of XPS Pensions Group to an “outperform” rating and raised their price objective for the stock from GBX 430 to GBX 435 in a report on Wednesday, July 29th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a “buy” rating and set a GBX 485 price objective on shares of XPS Pensions Group in a research report on Tuesday, October 6th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a GBX 469 price objective on shares of XPS Pensions Group in a report on Thursday. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of GBX 451.50.

XPS Pensions Group Trading Up 2.1%

XPS traded up GBX 7 during midday trading on Friday, reaching GBX 341. 1,910,648 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,030,719. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 44.65, a current ratio of 1.67 and a quick ratio of 1.51. The stock has a market capitalization of £692.33 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.50 and a beta of 0.35. The firm has a fifty day moving average of GBX 312.08 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 312.16. XPS Pensions Group has a 52 week low of GBX 275 and a 52 week high of GBX 368.50.

Insider Activity

In other XPS Pensions Group news, insider Paul Cuff sold 319,195 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 340, for a total transaction of £1,085,263. Also, insider Ben Bramhall sold 302,077 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 340, for a total value of £1,027,061.80. Insiders sold 1,110,388 shares of company stock worth $373,250,270 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 1.03% of the company’s stock.

Key Stories Impacting XPS Pensions Group

Here are the key news stories impacting XPS Pensions Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Revenue growth and upgraded outlook: XPS reported 12% first-half revenue growth and said full-year results are expected to be slightly ahead of previous expectations. The stronger-than-expected performance is the main reason for the stock’s rise, as it signals sustained demand for pensions advice, administration and related services. XPS raises full-year expectations as revenue grows 12%
• Positive Sentiment: Broker support: Berenberg reaffirmed its “buy” rating and set a GBX 440 price target, while Canaccord Genuity also maintained a “buy” rating with a GBX 469 target. Both targets are materially above the company’s recent trading level, indicating analysts see further upside if growth continues. Berenberg reaffirms buy rating
• Positive Sentiment: Market reaction: Reports described XPS shares as gaining or jumping following the first-half update, reflecting investor enthusiasm over double-digit revenue growth and the improved full-year outlook. XPS Pensions shares jump following strong first-half revenue growth
• Neutral Sentiment: A separate pensions-sector report noted that the new UK prime minister is focusing attention on pensions. This could shape the sector’s regulatory environment, but no immediate financial impact on XPS was identified. Quarterly Pensions Watch

XPS Pensions Group Company Profile

XPS Group is a leading UK consulting and administration business specialising in the pensions and insurance sectors. A FTSE 250 company, XPS combines expertise and insight with advanced technology and analytics to address the needs of over 1,300 pension schemes and their sponsoring employers on an ongoing and project basis. We undertake pensions administration for over one million members and provide advisory services to schemes and corporate sponsors in respect of schemes of all sizes, including 83 with assets over £1bn.