EP Wealth Advisors LLC Has $2.04 Million Position in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG)

EP Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG - Free Report) by 588.5% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 17,344 shares of the insurance provider's stock after acquiring an additional 14,825 shares during the period. EP Wealth Advisors LLC's holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group were worth $2,040,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in HIG. Trust Co. of Vermont raised its position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 27.9% in the third quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 403 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares during the period. Brooklyn Investment Group grew its stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 4.0% in the 3rd quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 2,444 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $287,000 after buying an additional 94 shares during the last quarter. Bailard Inc. raised its holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter. Bailard Inc. now owns 19,378 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $1,948,000 after acquiring an additional 101 shares during the period. Catalina Capital Group LLC lifted its position in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 4.3% during the 3rd quarter. Catalina Capital Group LLC now owns 2,488 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $293,000 after acquiring an additional 102 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Meeder Advisory Services Inc. lifted its position in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 1.9% during the 3rd quarter. Meeder Advisory Services Inc. now owns 5,621 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $661,000 after acquiring an additional 104 shares during the last quarter. 93.42% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at The Hartford Financial Services Group

In other news, EVP Adin M. Tooker sold 6,865 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, November 15th. The stock was 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. This trade represents a 21.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 1.60% of the company's stock.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Price Performance

The Hartford Financial Services Group stock traded down $3.22 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $112.99. 2,817,925 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,590,393. The company has a market capitalization of $32.75 billion, a PE ratio of 11.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 0.95. The business has a fifty day moving average of $117.83 and a 200 day moving average of $110.98. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $78.33 and a 1-year high of $124.90. The company has a quick ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, December 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.52 per share. This is an increase from The Hartford Financial Services Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.84%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 2nd. The Hartford Financial Services Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 20.84%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on HIG. UBS Group raised their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $134.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $100.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 27th. Barclays began coverage on The Hartford Financial Services Group in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $130.00 price objective for the company. StockNews.com raised shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, November 15th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their target price on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $133.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 29th. Ten investment 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 stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, The Hartford Financial Services Group has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $122.00.

The Hartford Financial Services Group 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.