American Century Companies Inc. Has $19.44 Million Stock Holdings in ING Groep (NYSE:ING)

American Century Companies Inc. grew its stake in ING Groep (NYSE:ING - Free Report) by 4.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,240,735 shares of the financial services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 55,257 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc.'s holdings in ING Groep were worth $19,442,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Roxbury Financial LLC bought a new position in ING Groep in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Brooklyn Investment Group boosted its holdings in shares of ING Groep by 184.8% in the 4th quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 1,860 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 1,207 shares during the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc acquired a new stake in shares of ING Groep in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $45,000. IFP Advisors Inc grew its stake in shares of ING Groep by 25.1% in the fourth quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 3,095 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $48,000 after buying an additional 621 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Whipplewood Advisors LLC acquired a new position in ING Groep during the fourth quarter worth $55,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 4.49% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of ING Groep from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, March 27th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, ING Groep has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy".

ING Groep Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE ING traded down $0.78 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $18.99. 3,850,930 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,283,358. ING Groep has a 12 month low of $15.09 and a 12 month high of $20.79. The company's 50 day moving average price is $18.32 and its 200 day moving average price is $17.10. The company has a quick ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.89. The firm has a market capitalization of $66.44 billion, a PE ratio of 8.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.42 and a beta of 1.07.

ING Groep (NYSE:ING - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The financial services provider reported $0.39 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.41 by ($0.02). ING Groep had a return on equity of 11.81% and a net margin of 28.30%. As a group, analysts predict that ING Groep will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

ING Groep Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 25th will be issued a $0.6526 dividend. This is a boost from ING Groep's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.17. This represents a yield of 5.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 25th. ING Groep's dividend payout ratio is currently 60.75%.

ING Groep Company Profile

ING Groep N.V. provides various banking products and services in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, rest of Europe, and internationally. It operates through five segments: Retail Netherlands, Retail Belgium, Retail Germany, Retail Other, and Wholesale Banking. The company accepts current and savings accounts.