Rentokil Initial (NYSE:RTO) Shares Gap Up – Time to Buy?

Rentokil Initial plc (NYSE:RTO)’s share price gapped up prior to trading on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $25.51, but opened at $26.46. Rentokil Initial shares last traded at $26.57, with a volume of 143,945 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Redburn Atlantic downgraded shares of Rentokil Initial from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, September 19th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $29.00.

Rentokil Initial Stock Up 3.9 %

The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $25.35 and its 200 day moving average price is $27.83.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Rentokil Initial

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Rothschild Investment LLC purchased a new position in Rentokil Initial in the second quarter valued at $29,000. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Rentokil Initial in the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its position in shares of Rentokil Initial by 403.3% during the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,052 shares of the company’s stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 843 shares in the last quarter. Assetmark Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Rentokil Initial during the third quarter worth approximately $36,000. Finally, GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC acquired a new stake in Rentokil Initial in the second quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 9.91% of the company’s stock.

About Rentokil Initial

Rentokil Initial plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides route-based services in North America, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and internationally. It offers a range of pest control services for rodents, and flying and crawling insects, as well as other forms of wildlife management for commercial customers.