Rentokil Initial PLC (NYSE:RTO) Receives Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages

Shares of Rentokil Initial PLC (NYSE:RTO) have earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the thirteen ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1 year target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $34.50.

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on RTO. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Rentokil Initial in a research report on Wednesday, June 24th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Rentokil Initial from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Sunday. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Rentokil Initial from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, July 6th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered shares of Rentokil Initial from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Monday, June 15th.

Institutional Trading of Rentokil Initial

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in RTO. Klein Pavlis & Peasley Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Rentokil Initial in the fourth quarter worth $1,201,000. Park Avenue Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of Rentokil Initial during the fourth quarter valued at $1,783,000. Two Creeks Capital Management LP raised its position in shares of Rentokil Initial by 325.5% in the 3rd quarter. Two Creeks Capital Management LP now owns 338,678 shares of the company’s stock worth $8,552,000 after purchasing an additional 259,088 shares during the last quarter. Elwood Capital Partners LP raised its position in shares of Rentokil Initial by 116.4% in the 3rd quarter. Elwood Capital Partners LP now owns 260,319 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,573,000 after purchasing an additional 140,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Independent Franchise Partners LLP boosted its stake in Rentokil Initial by 662.2% in the 3rd quarter. Independent Franchise Partners LLP now owns 778,628 shares of the company’s stock worth $19,660,000 after purchasing an additional 676,473 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 9.91% of the company’s stock.

Rentokil Initial Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:RTO traded down $0.47 during trading on Friday, hitting $29.66. The stock had a trading volume of 613,794 shares, compared to its average volume of 720,591. The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $30.60 and its 200 day moving average is $31.36. Rentokil Initial has a 12 month low of $22.77 and a 12 month high of $34.67.

About Rentokil Initial

Rentokil Initial PLC is a global business services company specializing in pest control, hygiene and workwear services. Headquartered in Crawley, West Sussex, United Kingdom, the company delivers outsourced solutions designed to protect people, preserve assets and enhance workplaces for both commercial and residential customers.

Under the Rentokil Pest Control brand, the company offers services ranging from routine inspections and treatment of insects, rodents and birds to specialised programmes for food manufacturing and healthcare environments.