Cerity Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Unum Group (NYSE:UNM - Free Report) by 10.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 78,886 shares of the financial services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 7,219 shares during the quarter. Cerity Partners LLC's holdings in Unum Group were worth $5,461,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.
Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Barrett & Company Inc. increased its stake in shares of Unum Group by 300.0% in the 4th quarter. Barrett & Company Inc. now owns 396 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 297 shares in the last quarter. Kestra Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Unum Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Millstone Evans Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Unum Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $45,000. Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its position in shares of Unum Group by 26.4% in the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 766 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $56,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. grew its stake in shares of Unum Group by 28.8% in the 4th quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 800 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $58,000 after buying an additional 179 shares during the last quarter. 86.57% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Insider Transactions at Unum Group
In other Unum Group news, EVP Lisa G. Iglesias sold 7,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $82.75, for a total value of $579,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 31,284 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,588,751. This represents a 18.28 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Richard P. Mckenney sold 50,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $81.99, for a total value of $4,099,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 980,637 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $80,402,427.63. This trade represents a 4.85 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.93% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.
Unum Group Stock Performance
Unum Group stock traded up $0.17 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $75.85. 1,131,954 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,297,772. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.37 billion, a PE ratio of 8.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.29 and a quick ratio of 0.28. The business's 50-day moving average is $77.75 and its 200-day moving average is $73.24. Unum Group has a 12-month low of $48.38 and a 12-month high of $84.48.
Unum Group (NYSE:UNM - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. The financial services provider reported $2.03 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.14 by ($0.11). Unum Group had a return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 13.81%. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Unum Group will post 9.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.
Unum Group announced that its board has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Tuesday, February 18th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the financial services provider to buy up to 7.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are usually an indication that the company's board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.
Unum Group Announces Dividend
The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 25th will be given a dividend of $0.42 per share. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.21%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 25th. Unum Group's payout ratio is 17.74%.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
Several equities research analysts have commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Unum Group from $81.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of Unum Group from $95.00 to $102.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Unum Group from $75.00 to $91.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Unum Group from $85.00 to $89.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, April 11th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price objective on Unum Group from $103.00 to $102.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $88.36.
Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Unum Group
Unum Group Company Profile
(
Free Report)
Unum Group, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial protection benefit solutions primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, and internationally. It operates through Unum US, Unum International, Colonial Life, and Closed Block segment. The company offers group long-term and short-term disability, group life, and accidental death and dismemberment products; supplemental and voluntary products, such as individual disability, voluntary benefits, and dental and vision products; and accident, sickness, disability, life, and cancer and critical illness products.
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