Franklin Resources Inc. Has $2.99 Million Stake in Kemper Co. (NYSE:KMPR)

Franklin Resources Inc. reduced its stake in Kemper Co. (NYSE:KMPR - Free Report) by 18.0% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 45,070 shares of the insurance provider's stock after selling 9,903 shares during the quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. owned approximately 0.07% of Kemper worth $2,994,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. California Public Employees Retirement System grew its position in shares of Kemper by 4.9% in the fourth quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 108,703 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $7,222,000 after purchasing an additional 5,082 shares during the last quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA grew its holdings in Kemper by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA now owns 8,232 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $547,000 after buying an additional 206 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Kemper in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $14,016,000. PKS Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in Kemper during the fourth quarter worth $233,000. Finally, Modern Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Kemper during the 4th quarter valued at $241,000. Institutional investors own 86.23% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Kemper from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on Kemper from $83.00 to $86.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Raymond James raised their target price on Kemper from $75.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, December 26th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $81.60.

Remove Ads

Kemper Price Performance

Shares of Kemper stock traded up $0.43 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $58.51. 610,053 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 365,707. The company has a current ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. The company has a market cap of $3.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.92 and a beta of 1.05. Kemper Co. has a fifty-two week low of $53.57 and a fifty-two week high of $73.01. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $64.91 and a 200 day simple moving average of $65.58.

Kemper (NYSE:KMPR - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The insurance provider reported $1.78 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.38 by $0.40. Kemper had a return on equity of 14.11% and a net margin of 6.85%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Kemper Co. will post 6.03 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Kemper Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 4th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th were issued a dividend of $0.32 per share. This is an increase from Kemper's previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.19%. Kemper's dividend payout ratio is currently 26.07%.

About Kemper

Kemper Corporation, a diversified insurance holding company, engages in the provision of insurance products to individuals and businesses in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Specialty Property & Casualty Insurance, Preferred Property & Casualty Insurance, and Life & Health Insurance.