Shares of WH Smith PLC (LON:SMWH) are currently rated as a “Moderate Buy” by five analysts, according to MarketBeat. Investors received a consensus recommendation reflecting two hold ratings and three buy ratings. The average price target for the stock over the next year is set at GBX 868.60.
Analysts have recently issued varied reports on WH Smith, indicating differing expectations for its market performance. On December 2, 2023, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its target price from GBX 750 to GBX 800, assigning the stock an “overweight” rating. Subsequently, on December 19, 2023, Peel Hunt reiterated a “buy” rating and also set a price target of GBX 800. In contrast, Berenberg Bank adjusted its price objective downward from GBX 700 to GBX 667, maintaining a “hold” rating on January 19, 2024.
On January 19, 2024, WH Smith shares opened at GBX 678, reflecting a slight increase of 0.4%. The company recorded a one-year low of GBX 585.50 and a high of GBX 1,199. Financial metrics reveal a market capitalization of approximately £845.43 million, a debt-to-equity ratio of 253.13, and a current ratio of 0.85. The firm’s price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio stands at -5.98, with a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 1.67. Furthermore, the 50-day simple moving average is GBX 659.29, while the 200-day average is GBX 701.73.
WH Smith recently announced its quarterly earnings on December 19, 2023, reporting an earnings per share (EPS) of GBX (14.20). The company has a net margin of 3.44% and a return on equity of 17.78%. Analysts project that WH Smith will achieve an EPS of approximately 100.94 for the current fiscal year.
Established as a prominent retailer in the United Kingdom and internationally, WH Smith operates primarily in two segments: Travel and High Street. The Travel segment caters to customers in transit, offering a variety of products such as news, books, and convenience items in locations including airports, hospitals, and railway stations. Meanwhile, the High Street segment focuses on selling stationery, greeting cards, and books, in addition to news and impulse products like magazines and confectionery.
As WH Smith continues to navigate the retail landscape, analysts and investors will be closely monitoring its performance and market strategies in the coming months.
