Metro (TSE:MRU) Share Price Crosses Above 200 Day Moving Average – Should You Sell?

Metro Inc. (TSE:MRU) crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$86.74 and traded as high as C$92.98. Metro shares last traded at C$91.73, with a volume of 272,186 shares changing hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. UBS Group increased their price target on Metro from C$98.00 to C$99.00 in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered Metro from a “moderate buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, November 21st. Desjardins boosted their price target on Metro from C$85.00 to C$95.00 in a report on Friday, November 22nd. Scotiabank upped their price objective on Metro from C$98.00 to C$100.00 in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. Finally, CIBC lifted their target price on shares of Metro from C$86.00 to C$91.00 in a report on Thursday, November 21st. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of C$93.56.

Metro Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 64.18, a current ratio of 1.10 and a quick ratio of 0.41. The company has a market capitalization of C$20.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.06 and a beta of 0.08. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of C$91.27 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$86.74.

Metro Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 11th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 11th will be issued a $0.37 dividend. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.61%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 13th. This is a positive change from Metro’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.34. Metro’s payout ratio is presently 32.76%.

About Metro

Metro Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates as a retailer, franchisor, distributor, and manufacturer in the food and pharmaceutical sectors in Canada. The company operates supermarkets, discount, neighborhood, and specialty stores that provide fresh and grocery products, baked goods, prepared food products, meats, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, frozen food products, bakery products, delicatessen items, and pastries.