Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. Grows Stock Position in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG)

Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG - Free Report) by 5.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 88,084 shares of the insurance provider's stock after acquiring an additional 4,584 shares during the period. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd.'s holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group were worth $10,360,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 9.6% during the 2nd quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 5,893 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $593,000 after buying an additional 514 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 19.5% in the second quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 72,992 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $7,339,000 after acquiring an additional 11,934 shares in the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its holdings in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 222.7% during the second quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 173,757 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $17,470,000 after purchasing an additional 119,909 shares during the last quarter. Triad Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group during the second quarter worth about $70,000. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 43.5% in the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 3,188 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $329,000 after purchasing an additional 966 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.42% of the company's stock.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Price Performance

The Hartford Financial Services Group stock traded down $2.11 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $110.92. The company had a trading volume of 3,065,380 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,598,516. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $117.64 and its 200-day simple moving average is $111.08. The company has a market capitalization of $32.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.35, a P/E/G ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 0.32 and a quick ratio of 0.32. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $78.33 and a 1 year high of $124.90.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 2nd. This is a boost from The Hartford Financial Services Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.88%. The Hartford Financial Services Group's payout ratio is currently 20.84%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other The Hartford Financial Services Group news, EVP Adin M. Tooker sold 6,865 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.04, for a total transaction of $803,479.60. Following the completion of the transaction, 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 position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 1.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on HIG shares. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $122.00 to $134.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 17th. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $134.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. 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 report on Tuesday, October 29th. Barclays assumed coverage on The Hartford Financial Services Group in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $130.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $113.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. Ten 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 company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $122.00.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Company 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.