Admiral Group stock sits below Morgan Stanley's GBp 4,450 target
Published on 09/25/2026 at 11:09 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Admiral Group stock was trading at GBp 3,640 on the LSE on September 25, 2026, with a 52-week range of GBp 2,624 to GBp 4,128. The quote stood 11.82 percent below the yearly high as investors weighed a higher broker target against weaker first-half earnings.
Morgan Stanley raises its target
According to ADVFN on September 7, 2026, Morgan Stanley upgraded Admiral to Overweight from Equal-weight and lifted its price target from GBp 3,575 to GBp 4,450.
The new target is GBp 810 above the September 25, 2026 quote, a 22.25 percent difference. The broker cited rising UK motor insurance pricing and the prospect of improved margins, giving the target a direct connection to underwriting performance rather than a broad market call.
First-half profit falls 18 percent
According to LinkedIn, Admiral's half-year results dated August 6, 2026 showed group profit before tax of GBP 429.2 million, down 18 percent from the first half of 2025. The group combined operating ratio was 78.5 percent, while UK Motor profit reached GBP 456.9 million, also down 18 percent year over year.
The figures create a clear tension for investors. Motor pricing is improving according to the broker case, yet reported profit remains below the prior-year level, so margin delivery will determine whether the higher target can be justified.
Analyst consensus remains restrained
MarketBeat reported on September 2, 2026 that six research firms held an average rating of Hold, with an average 12-month price target of GBp 3,569.67. The average target was GBp 70.33 below the September 25 price, leaving Morgan Stanley's GBp 4,450 view well above the broader consensus.
Admiral stock stays below its yearly high
Admiral Group stock was trading at GBp 3,640 on the LSE on September 25, 2026, up 0.05 percent on the session. Its GBp 4,128 52-week high remains the key market comparison, while the latest earnings figures place underwriting margins at the center of the valuation debate.
Admiral Group market snapshot
- Company: Admiral Group plc
- Ticker: ADM
- Trading venue: LSE
- Price (as of September 25, 2026): GBp 3,640, intraday
- 52-week range: GBp 2,624-4,128 (as of September 25, 2026)
- Sector / Industry: Financial Services / Insurance - Property & Casualty
- Index membership: FTSE 100
