BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. Has $139.99 Million Stock Holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG)

BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. decreased its position in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG - Free Report) by 13.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,190,251 shares of the insurance provider's stock after selling 177,149 shares during the period. BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. owned approximately 0.41% of The Hartford Financial Services Group worth $139,985,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. New Covenant Trust Company N.A. acquired a new stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group during the first quarter worth about $26,000. DT Investment Partners LLC bought a new stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Quest Partners LLC raised its holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 2,750.0% during the 2nd quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 285 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 275 shares during the period. Bank & Trust Co bought a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group in the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Family Firm Inc. acquired a new position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in the second quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Institutional investors own 93.42% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on HIG shares. Barclays started coverage on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $130.00 price objective on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price objective on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $133.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 29th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $113.00 to $127.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. Argus upgraded shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $122.00 to $134.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 17th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $120.88.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Price Performance

The Hartford Financial Services Group stock opened at $118.19 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $34.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.84, a PEG ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a current ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $76.25 and a 12 month high of $123.23. The stock's 50 day moving average is $116.62 and its 200-day moving average is $109.10.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 3rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.52 per share. This is a boost from The Hartford Financial Services Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 2nd. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.76%. The Hartford Financial Services Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 18.84%.

The Hartford Financial Services Group announced that its board has authorized a stock buyback program on Thursday, July 25th that permits the company to buyback $3.30 billion in shares. This buyback authorization permits the insurance provider to buy up to 10.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually a sign that the company's leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Transactions at The Hartford Financial Services Group

In other news, EVP Adin M. Tooker sold 6,865 shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 25,820 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,021,972.80. The trade was a 21.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 1.60% of the company's stock.

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.

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