Compass Group PLC: Technical Break, Analyst Outlook and Historical Performance
Compass Group PLC (LON:CPG) closed the session on 30 December 2025 at GBX 2,363 after breaching its 200‑day moving average. The 200‑day average was GBX 2,509.29 and the share fell to a low of GBX 2,357 during the day, trading in a volume of 1,262,620 shares. The cross below the 200‑day moving average is often regarded by technical analysts as a bearish signal and has prompted discussion among investors about a potential sell‑off.
Analyst Ratings and Target Prices
A number of research houses have issued updated ratings and price targets for Compass Group in the months preceding the breakout:
| Research House | Rating | Updated Price Target (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| Berenberg Bank | Buy | GBX 3,100 (raised from GBX 3,000) |
| Citigroup | Buy | GBX 3,000 (raised from GBX 2,750) |
| Jefferies Financial Group | Buy | GBX 3,000 |
| JPMorgan Chase & Co. | Overweight | GBX 3,100 |
All four firms maintained a bullish stance, citing the company’s strong position in the catering and support‑services sector. Their target prices are significantly above the current trading level, suggesting a potential upside if the share recovers from the recent dip.
Historical Investment Return
An analysis of a hypothetical investment made on 29 December 2020 provides context for long‑term performance. At that date, the share closed at GBP 14.39. If an investor had purchased GBP 1,000 worth of shares then, the holding would have grown to 69,516 shares by 24 December 2025, when the share price had risen to GBP 23.70. This translates to a cumulative return of 64.75 % over five years, ignoring splits and dividends. The company’s market capitalisation at the close of 2025 was GBP 40.24 billion.
Company Profile
Compass Group PLC is headquartered in Chertsey, United Kingdom, and operates within the Consumer Discretionary sector under the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry. The firm provides catering and support services to a global customer base that includes offices, factories, hospitals, schools, universities, sports venues, military installations, offshore platforms and other remote sites. Its share price, as of 28 December 2025, stood at GBX 2,363, with a 52‑week high of GBX 2,853 (17 February 2025) and a 52‑week low of GBX 2,314 (9 December 2025). The price‑earnings ratio is 29.05.
