Headlands Technologies LLC Cuts Stake in Prudential plc (NYSE:PUK)

Headlands Technologies LLC lessened its position in Prudential plc (NYSE:PUK) by 59.7% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 25,872 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 38,341 shares during the period. Headlands Technologies LLC’s holdings in Prudential were worth $412,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Prudential by 417.0% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,856 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 1,497 shares in the last quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Prudential in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Advisors Preferred LLC acquired a new position in Prudential during the fourth quarter worth $31,000. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in Prudential by 95.8% in the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,303 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 1,127 shares in the last quarter. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI lifted its holdings in Prudential by 52.6% in the fourth quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 3,042 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $48,000 after acquiring an additional 1,049 shares during the period. 1.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Prudential Trading Down 4.2 %

PUK stock opened at $20.91 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $18.81 and a 200-day moving average of $17.36. The company has a market cap of $27.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.01, a PEG ratio of 0.41 and a beta of 1.21. Prudential plc has a 12-month low of $14.39 and a 12-month high of $22.01.

Prudential Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 14th. Investors of record on Friday, March 28th will be issued a dividend of $0.3258 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 28th. This is a boost from Prudential’s previous dividend of $0.24. Prudential’s payout ratio is currently 28.02%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com raised shares of Prudential from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, March 22nd.

About Prudential

Prudential plc, through its subsidiaries, provides life and health insurance, and asset management solutions to individuals in Asia and Africa. The company was founded in 1848 and is headquartered in Central, Hong Kong.