Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) have earned a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the thirteen brokerages that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Four 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. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $91.1538.

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on UNM shares. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on Unum Group from $85.00 to $79.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, August 18th. UBS Group set a $87.00 price target on Unum Group and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on Unum Group from $88.00 to $92.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 3rd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $95.00 price objective (down from $100.00) on shares of Unum Group in a research report on Thursday, July 31st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on Unum Group from $105.00 to $100.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th.

Unum Group Stock Performance

Unum Group stock opened at $75.19 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $74.07 and a 200 day simple moving average of $77.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 0.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. Unum Group has a 12-month low of $54.72 and a 12-month high of $84.48. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.99, a P/E/G ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 0.38.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 29th. The financial services provider reported $2.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.23 by ($0.16). Unum Group had a net margin of 11.77% and a return on equity of 13.44%. The business had revenue of $3.36 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.35 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.16 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 4.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Unum Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.500-8.50 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Unum Group will post 9.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Unum Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 15th. Investors of record on Friday, July 25th were given a $0.46 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 25th. This is a positive change from Unum Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. This represents a $1.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.4%. Unum Group’s dividend payout ratio is 22.01%.

Institutional Trading of Unum Group

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in UNM. Brighton Jones LLC acquired a new stake in Unum Group in the fourth quarter worth about $247,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its position in shares of Unum Group by 79.0% during the 4th quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 207,736 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $15,171,000 after buying an additional 91,703 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Unum Group by 95.7% during the 4th quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 7,169 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $524,000 after buying an additional 3,506 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its position in shares of Unum Group by 6.0% during the 4th quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 36,967 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $2,700,000 after buying an additional 2,105 shares during the period. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG grew its position in shares of Unum Group by 258.5% during the 4th quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 287,218 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $20,976,000 after buying an additional 207,110 shares during the period. 86.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Unum Group Company Profile

Unum Group, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial protection benefit solutions primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, and internationally. It operates through Unum US, Unum International, Colonial Life, and Closed Block segment. The company offers group long-term and short-term disability, group life, and accidental death and dismemberment products; supplemental and voluntary products, such as individual disability, voluntary benefits, and dental and vision products; and accident, sickness, disability, life, and cancer and critical illness products.