The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG) Stock Position Raised by Cerity Partners LLC

Cerity Partners LLC boosted its holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG) by 9.9% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 67,445 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 6,094 shares during the period. Cerity Partners LLC’s holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group were worth $7,932,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. New Covenant Trust Company N.A. acquired a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $26,000. DT Investment Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group during the third quarter valued at $26,000. Quest Partners LLC grew its position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 2,750.0% during the second quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 285 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 275 shares during the last quarter. Bank & Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, Family Firm Inc. bought a new stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group in the 2nd quarter valued at about $31,000. 93.42% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have commented on HIG shares. Argus upgraded shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $113.00 to $127.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. StockNews.com raised The Hartford Financial Services Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, November 15th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $100.00 to $141.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Bank of America increased their target price on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $121.00 to $124.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 10th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $122.00.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Adin M. Tooker sold 6,865 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.04, for a total value of $803,479.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 25,820 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,021,972.80. This trade represents a 21.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:HIG opened at $123.74 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a current ratio of 0.32. The company has a market capitalization of $35.87 billion, a PE ratio of 12.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 0.94. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $117.16 and a 200-day moving average of $109.84. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a one year low of $76.65 and a one year high of $124.90.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, December 2nd will be given a $0.52 dividend. This is a positive change from The Hartford Financial Services Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 2nd. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.68%. The Hartford Financial Services Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 18.84%.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Profile

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance and financial services to individual and business customers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. Its Commercial Lines segment offers insurance coverages, including workers' compensation, property, automobile, general and professional liability, package business, umbrella, fidelity and surety, marine, livestock, accident, health, and reinsurance through regional offices, branches, sales and policyholder service centers, independent retail agents and brokers, wholesale agents, and reinsurance brokers.