CNA Financial (NYSE:CNA) Rating Lowered to "Hold" at StockNews.com

StockNews.com downgraded shares of CNA Financial (NYSE:CNA - Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday.

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price objective on shares of CNA Financial from $55.00 to $54.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 10th.

CNA Financial Stock Performance

NYSE:CNA traded down $0.71 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $48.65. 351,160 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 209,462. The company's 50 day moving average price is $48.45 and its 200-day moving average price is $49.09. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.14 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 0.26 and a quick ratio of 0.26. CNA Financial has a 52-week low of $42.33 and a 52-week high of $52.36.

CNA Financial (NYSE:CNA - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 10th. The insurance provider reported $1.25 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.11 by $0.14. CNA Financial had a net margin of 9.26% and a return on equity of 13.30%. As a group, research analysts forecast that CNA Financial will post 4.68 earnings per share for the current year.

CNA Financial Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 13th. Investors of record on Monday, February 24th will be paid a $0.46 dividend. This is a boost from CNA Financial's previous quarterly dividend of $0.44. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.78%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 24th. CNA Financial's payout ratio is currently 36.67%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On CNA Financial

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new position in shares of CNA Financial in the 3rd quarter valued at $36,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of CNA Financial by 663.4% in the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 771 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 670 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its position in CNA Financial by 29.2% during the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,265 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $61,000 after acquiring an additional 286 shares during the period. Quent Capital LLC raised its position in CNA Financial by 28.3% during the fourth quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 1,475 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $71,000 after acquiring an additional 325 shares during the period. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new position in CNA Financial during the fourth quarter worth $74,000. 98.45% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About CNA Financial

CNA Financial Corporation provides commercial property and casualty insurance products in the United States and internationally. It operates through Specialty, Commercial, International, Life & Group, and Corporate & Other segments. The company offers professional liability coverages and risk management services to various professional firms, including architects, real estate agents, and accounting and law firms; directors and officers, employment practices, fiduciary, and fidelity and cyber coverages to small and mid-size firms, public and privately held firms, and not-for-profit organizations; professional and general liability, as well as associated casualty coverages for healthcare industry; surety and fidelity bonds; and warranty and alternative risks products.