Raymond James Financial Inc. Makes New $23.33 Million Investment in Kemper Co. (NYSE:KMPR)

Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in Kemper Co. (NYSE:KMPR - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 351,077 shares of the insurance provider's stock, valued at approximately $23,325,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. owned 0.55% of Kemper as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Bank of Nova Scotia acquired a new position in shares of Kemper in the fourth quarter worth $1,863,000. Cerity Partners LLC grew its position in shares of Kemper by 52.1% during the fourth quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 20,228 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $1,335,000 after buying an additional 6,929 shares in the last quarter. Foundry Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Kemper by 1,452.8% during the fourth quarter. Foundry Partners LLC now owns 102,407 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $6,804,000 after buying an additional 95,812 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its stake in shares of Kemper by 10.7% during the fourth quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 371,144 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $24,659,000 after purchasing an additional 36,004 shares in the last quarter. Finally, California Public Employees Retirement System increased its holdings in Kemper by 4.9% in the fourth quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 108,703 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $7,222,000 after buying an additional 5,082 shares during the last quarter. 86.23% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Kemper Stock Performance

Kemper stock traded down $0.10 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $58.50. 56,666 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 367,526. The firm has a market cap of $3.75 billion, a PE ratio of 11.93 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a current ratio of 0.27. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $63.64 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $65.38. Kemper Co. has a twelve month low of $53.57 and a twelve month high of $73.01.

Kemper (NYSE:KMPR - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The insurance provider reported $1.78 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.38 by $0.40. Kemper had a net margin of 6.85% and a return on equity of 14.11%. Equities analysts predict that Kemper Co. will post 6.03 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kemper Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 4th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th were given a $0.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.19%. This is an increase from Kemper's previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. Kemper's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 26.07%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

KMPR has been the subject of several analyst reports. Raymond James upped their price objective on Kemper from $75.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, December 26th. Piper Sandler upped their price target on Kemper from $83.00 to $86.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Kemper from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Kemper presently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $81.60.

Kemper Profile

Kemper Corporation, a diversified insurance holding company, engages in the provision of insurance products to individuals and businesses in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Specialty Property & Casualty Insurance, Preferred Property & Casualty Insurance, and Life & Health Insurance.