Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH Raises Holdings in Prudential Financial, Inc. $PRU

Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH grew its stake in Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU) by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 242,861 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after buying an additional 1,270 shares during the quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH owned 0.07% of Prudential Financial worth $26,093,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in Prudential Financial in the first quarter valued at approximately $90,010,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Prudential Financial by 19.2% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 4,206,453 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $469,777,000 after purchasing an additional 678,028 shares in the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB lifted its position in shares of Prudential Financial by 49.2% during the 2nd quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 1,720,781 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $184,192,000 after purchasing an additional 567,571 shares during the last quarter. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al acquired a new position in shares of Prudential Financial during the second quarter worth $28,579,000. Finally, Amundi increased its holdings in Prudential Financial by 14.1% in the first quarter. Amundi now owns 1,751,633 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $183,571,000 after buying an additional 216,119 shares during the last quarter. 56.83% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on PRU shares. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Prudential Financial in a research report on Thursday. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on shares of Prudential Financial from $117.00 to $118.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Prudential Financial from $120.00 to $117.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Evercore ISI increased their target price on shares of Prudential Financial from $120.00 to $122.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Wolfe Research assumed coverage on Prudential Financial in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. They issued a “peer perform” rating for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $120.73.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Ann M. Kappler sold 4,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, August 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $109.65, for a total value of $438,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 21,506 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,358,132.90. This trade represents a 15.68% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Chairman Charles F. Lowrey sold 48,164 shares of Prudential Financial stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $107.39, for a total transaction of $5,172,331.96. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman directly owned 165,564 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,779,917.96. The trade was a 22.54% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.25% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Prudential Financial Stock Performance

Shares of PRU stock opened at $103.47 on Tuesday. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $103.65 and its 200 day moving average price is $104.71. The company has a quick ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 0.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. The stock has a market capitalization of $36.22 billion, a PE ratio of 14.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.88 and a beta of 1.05. Prudential Financial, Inc. has a 52-week low of $90.38 and a 52-week high of $130.55.

Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 15th. The financial services provider reported $3.58 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $8.35 billion for the quarter. Prudential Financial had a return on equity of 16.98% and a net margin of 4.65%. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Prudential Financial, Inc. will post 14.36 EPS for the current year.

Prudential Financial Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 11th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 18th will be paid a $1.35 dividend. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, November 18th. Prudential Financial’s payout ratio is currently 74.18%.

About Prudential Financial

Prudential Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance, investment management, and other financial products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through PGIM, Retirement Strategies, Group Insurance, Individual Life, and International Businesses segments.