Metis Global Partners LLC Lowers Position in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG)

Metis Global Partners LLC cut its position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG - Free Report) by 19.2% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 18,169 shares of the insurance provider's stock after selling 4,307 shares during the quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC's holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group were worth $1,988,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Nordea Investment Management AB raised its position in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 17.3% during the fourth quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 3,938,421 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $430,272,000 after acquiring an additional 581,103 shares in the last quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. boosted its position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 2.9% during the 4th quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 1,234,480 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $135,052,000 after acquiring an additional 34,938 shares in the last quarter. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd boosted its stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 265.5% in the fourth quarter. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd now owns 1,213,074 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $132,710,000 after buying an additional 881,224 shares in the last quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec boosted its stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 42.1% in the 3rd quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec now owns 935,298 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $110,000,000 after purchasing an additional 277,295 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 437.9% during the fourth quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 871,318 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $95,322,000 after buying an additional 709,324 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.42% of the company's stock.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Stock Down 2.2 %

Shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group stock traded down $2.63 on Tuesday, hitting $117.14. The company had a trading volume of 2,332,661 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,768,343. The stock has a market capitalization of $33.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.32, a P/E/G ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a current ratio of 0.32. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $94.47 and a 1 year high of $124.90. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $112.05 and a 200-day moving average of $114.63.

The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE:HIG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The insurance provider reported $2.94 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.68 by $0.26. The Hartford Financial Services Group had a net margin of 11.72% and a return on equity of 19.55%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. will post 11.11 earnings per share for the current year.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.52 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.78%. The Hartford Financial Services Group's payout ratio is currently 20.10%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on HIG shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $139.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 5th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $130.00 to $126.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Barclays raised The Hartford Financial Services Group from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $130.00 to $135.00 in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Royal Bank of Canada restated a "sector perform" rating and set a $125.00 price target on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 25th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, The Hartford Financial Services Group presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $122.94.

About The Hartford Financial Services Group

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.