Pictet Asset Management Holding SA Acquires 8,399 Shares of Aon plc (NYSE:AON)

Pictet Asset Management Holding SA increased its holdings in shares of Aon plc (NYSE:AON) by 6.3% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 142,182 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 8,399 shares during the quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA’s holdings in AON were worth $51,066,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Endeavor Private Wealth Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of AON during the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Richardson Financial Services Inc. raised its stake in shares of AON by 2,025.0% in the 4th quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. now owns 85 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares during the period. Millstone Evans Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of AON in the fourth quarter valued at about $32,000. Anchor Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of AON by 1,162.5% during the third quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC now owns 101 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 93 shares during the period. Finally, Centricity Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in AON in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $39,000. 86.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AON Stock Down 1.3 %

Shares of AON opened at $394.22 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $85.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.12 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.58, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a current ratio of 1.40. Aon plc has a 52 week low of $268.06 and a 52 week high of $412.97. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $388.72 and its 200 day simple moving average is $372.20.

AON (NYSE:AON) last announced its earnings results on Friday, January 31st. The financial services provider reported $4.42 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.25 by $0.17. AON had a return on equity of 70.84% and a net margin of 16.91%. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.89 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Aon plc will post 17.21 earnings per share for the current year.

AON Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 14th. Investors of record on Monday, February 3rd were paid a $0.675 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 3rd. This represents a $2.70 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.68%. AON’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 21.33%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on AON shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on AON from $411.00 to $414.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 5th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of AON from $410.00 to $445.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Piper Sandler increased their price objective on shares of AON from $372.00 to $384.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on AON from $390.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Redburn Atlantic raised AON to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $386.21.

AON Company Profile

Aon Plc engages in the provision of risk, health, and wealth solutions. It focuses on risk capital including claim management, reinsurance, risk analysis, management, retention, and transfer; and human capital involving analytics, health and benefits, investments, pensions and retirement, talent and rewards, and workplace wellbeing.