BlueStem Wealth Partners LLC Takes $426,000 Position in Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU)

BlueStem Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 3,597 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $426,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Savant Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of Prudential Financial by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 14,382 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,705,000 after buying an additional 83 shares in the last quarter. Grove Bank & Trust raised its position in shares of Prudential Financial by 65.9% in the fourth quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 219 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 87 shares during the period. Avidian Wealth Enterprises LLC boosted its holdings in Prudential Financial by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. Avidian Wealth Enterprises LLC now owns 7,357 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $891,000 after buying an additional 89 shares during the period. Asset Dedication LLC grew its stake in Prudential Financial by 28.4% during the fourth quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 420 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $50,000 after acquiring an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. Finally, RNC Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Prudential Financial by 3.3% in the fourth quarter. RNC Capital Management LLC now owns 2,990 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $354,000 after purchasing an additional 95 shares in the last quarter. 56.83% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Prudential Financial Price Performance

Shares of PRU traded up $1.31 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $110.90. 1,973,903 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,745,546. Prudential Financial, Inc. has a 52-week low of $104.44 and a 52-week high of $130.55. The company has a current ratio of 0.16, a quick ratio of 0.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The company has a market cap of $39.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 1.31. The company's 50-day moving average price is $116.05 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $119.86.

Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The financial services provider reported $2.96 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $3.36 by ($0.40). Prudential Financial had a return on equity of 15.86% and a net margin of 4.01%. On average, analysts anticipate that Prudential Financial, Inc. will post 14.36 earnings per share for the current year.

Prudential Financial Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 13th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be issued a $1.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 18th. This is an increase from Prudential Financial's previous quarterly dividend of $1.30. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.87%. Prudential Financial's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 72.29%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

PRU has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on shares of Prudential Financial from $136.00 to $128.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 28th. BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on Prudential Financial in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. They set an "underperform" rating and a $101.00 price target for the company. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Prudential Financial from $113.00 to $118.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 19th. Evercore ISI upgraded shares of Prudential Financial from an "underperform" rating to an "inline" rating and lifted their target price for the company from $117.00 to $140.00 in a report on Thursday, November 14th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upped their price objective on Prudential Financial from $149.00 to $152.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $126.15.

Prudential Financial Profile

Prudential Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance, investment management, and other financial products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through PGIM, Retirement Strategies, Group Insurance, Individual Life, and International Businesses segments.