Generali Asset Management SPA SGR Purchases New Holdings in The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (NYSE:IPG)

Generali Asset Management SPA SGR purchased a new stake in The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (NYSE:IPG - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 53,405 shares of the business services provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,496,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Allworth Financial LP grew its holdings in Interpublic Group of Companies by 75.8% in the 4th quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,113 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 480 shares during the last quarter. OFI Invest Asset Management acquired a new stake in shares of Interpublic Group of Companies in the fourth quarter worth $36,000. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new stake in shares of Interpublic Group of Companies in the third quarter worth $60,000. Transamerica Financial Advisors Inc. increased its position in Interpublic Group of Companies by 243,700.0% during the third quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 2,438 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $78,000 after acquiring an additional 2,437 shares during the period. Finally, Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new position in Interpublic Group of Companies during the 3rd quarter valued at $107,000. 98.43% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Interpublic Group of Companies

In other Interpublic Group of Companies news, CFO Ellen Tobi Johnson sold 21,427 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.82, for a total value of $574,672.14. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 143,373 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,845,263.86. The trade was a 13.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.42% of the company's stock.

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Interpublic Group of Companies Price Performance

Interpublic Group of Companies stock traded up $0.35 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $26.28. 6,813,586 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,670,182. The company has a market capitalization of $9.79 billion, a PE ratio of 14.36 and a beta of 1.14. The business has a fifty day moving average of $27.51 and a 200 day moving average of $29.04. The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. has a 1-year low of $25.85 and a 1-year high of $33.05. The company has a quick ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77.

Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE:IPG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The business services provider reported $1.11 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.15 by ($0.04). Interpublic Group of Companies had a net margin of 6.45% and a return on equity of 27.10%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. will post 2.66 earnings per share for the current year.

Interpublic Group of Companies declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback program on Wednesday, February 12th that authorizes the company to buyback $155.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the business services provider to reacquire up to 1.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are generally an indication that the company's leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Interpublic Group of Companies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd were given a dividend of $0.33 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $1.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.02%. Interpublic Group of Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 72.13%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently issued reports on IPG. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Interpublic Group of Companies in a report on Tuesday. They set a "hold" rating on the stock. Argus lowered Interpublic Group of Companies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. Wells Fargo & Company raised Interpublic Group of Companies from an "underweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and upped their price target for the company from $26.00 to $34.00 in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. BNP Paribas raised Interpublic Group of Companies from an "underperform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $38.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Friday, January 10th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Interpublic Group of Companies from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and upped their target price for the company from $32.00 to $39.00 in a research note on Monday, January 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Interpublic Group of Companies currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $33.50.

About Interpublic Group of Companies

The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc provides advertising and marketing services worldwide. It operates in three segments: Media, Data & Engagement Solutions, Integrated Advertising & Creativity Led Solutions, and Specialized Communications & Experiential Solutions. The Media, Data & Engagement Solutions segment provides media and communications services, digital services and products, advertising and marketing technology, e-commerce services, data management and analytics, strategic consulting, and digital brand experience under the IPG Mediabrands, UM, Initiative, Kinesso, Acxiom, Huge, MRM, and R/GA brand names.