Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. Invests $1.25 Million in Unum Group (NYSE:UNM)

Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. purchased a new stake in shares of Unum Group (NYSE:UNM - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 17,101 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,249,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Benjamin Edwards Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Unum Group during the 3rd quarter worth about $608,000. Centiva Capital LP boosted its stake in Unum Group by 79.5% during the 3rd quarter. Centiva Capital LP now owns 8,290 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $493,000 after purchasing an additional 3,671 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Unum Group by 3.9% in the third quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 80,891 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $4,811,000 after acquiring an additional 3,030 shares during the last quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC increased its position in Unum Group by 9.2% during the third quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 134,134 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $7,972,000 after acquiring an additional 11,331 shares during the period. Finally, IHT Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Unum Group by 4.8% in the 3rd quarter. IHT Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,906 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $351,000 after purchasing an additional 269 shares during the period. 86.57% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Unum Group Price Performance

NYSE UNM traded down $3.62 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $73.27. 583,798 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,282,924. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $77.86 and a 200-day moving average of $72.61. Unum Group has a one year low of $48.38 and a one year high of $84.48. The stock has a market cap of $12.95 billion, a PE ratio of 7.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a current ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32.

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Unum Group (NYSE:UNM - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The financial services provider reported $2.03 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $2.14 by ($0.11). Unum Group had a net margin of 13.81% and a return on equity of 14.91%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Unum Group will post 9.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Unum Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 25th will be given a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.29%. Unum Group's payout ratio is 17.74%.

Unum Group declared that its board has initiated a stock buyback program on Tuesday, February 18th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the financial services provider to purchase up to 7.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are generally a sign that the company's management believes its shares are undervalued.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Unum Group from $81.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Barclays raised their price objective on Unum Group from $76.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Unum Group from $80.00 to $84.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Unum Group from $81.00 to $91.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 19th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price target on shares of Unum Group from $103.00 to $102.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday. Five investment 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. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Unum Group currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $87.79.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Lisa G. Iglesias sold 7,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $82.75, for a total value of $579,250.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 31,284 shares in the company, valued at $2,588,751. This represents a 18.28 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Richard P. Mckenney sold 50,000 shares of Unum Group stock in a transaction on Monday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $81.99, for a total transaction of $4,099,500.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 980,637 shares of the company's stock, valued at $80,402,427.63. This represents a 4.85 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.93% of the company's stock.

Unum Group Company Profile

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.