The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE:HIG) Price Target Raised to $139.00

The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE:HIG) had its target price increased by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods from $135.00 to $139.00 in a research report released on Friday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the insurance provider’s stock.

Other analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $122.00 to $134.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, September 17th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $100.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 27th. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $134.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of 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. Finally, Barclays raised shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $130.00 to $135.00 in a report on Monday, January 6th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $122.50.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Stock Down 2.9 %

Shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group stock opened at $106.25 on Friday. The Hartford Financial Services Group has a 52-week low of $81.69 and a 52-week high of $124.90. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $114.43 and its 200-day moving average price is $112.40. The company has a quick ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. The company has a market cap of $30.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.65, a PEG ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 0.98.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 3rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 2nd were issued a $0.52 dividend. This is a boost from The Hartford Financial Services Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 2nd. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.96%. The Hartford Financial Services Group’s payout ratio is presently 20.84%.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Adin M. Tooker sold 6,865 shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group stock in a transaction 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 sale, 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 legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.60% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On The Hartford Financial Services Group

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. DT Investment Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group during the third quarter worth about $26,000. Clean Yield Group purchased a new stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Quest Partners LLC raised its holdings 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 valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 275 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas purchased a new position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in the third quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in the third quarter worth approximately $40,000. 93.42% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Company 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.