American Century Companies Inc. Purchases 17,878 Shares of Prudential plc (NYSE:PUK)

American Century Companies Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Prudential plc (NYSE:PUK - Free Report) by 8.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 227,177 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 17,878 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc.'s holdings in Prudential were worth $3,621,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PUK. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Prudential by 417.0% during the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,856 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 1,497 shares during the period. Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new position in Prudential during the 4th quarter worth $30,000. Advisors Preferred LLC acquired a new position in Prudential during the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in shares of Prudential by 95.8% in the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,303 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 1,127 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ballentine Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Prudential in the fourth quarter valued at about $163,000. 1.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Prudential Price Performance

Shares of Prudential stock traded up $0.36 on Friday, hitting $19.49. 2,378,690 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,043,126. The company has a fifty day moving average of $19.19 and a two-hundred day moving average of $17.47. Prudential plc has a one year low of $14.39 and a one year high of $22.01. The company has a market capitalization of $25.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.41 and a beta of 1.00.

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Prudential Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 28th will be given a dividend of $0.3258 per share. This is an increase from Prudential's previous dividend of $0.24. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 28th. Prudential's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 28.02%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. StockNews.com raised Prudential from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, March 22nd. Citigroup restated a "buy" rating on shares of Prudential in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy".

Prudential Company Profile

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.