Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU) Receives Average Recommendation of "Hold" from Brokerages

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU - Get Free Report) has received an average recommendation of "Hold" from the thirteen analysts that are covering the company, Marketbeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $126.15.

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of Prudential Financial from $136.00 to $128.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on shares of Prudential Financial from $149.00 to $152.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. Piper Sandler lowered their price objective on Prudential Financial from $127.00 to $124.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on Prudential Financial from $113.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 19th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on Prudential Financial from $128.00 to $134.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 5th.

Prudential Financial Stock Performance

Shares of Prudential Financial stock traded up $3.08 during trading on Friday, reaching $113.35. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,744,976 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,433,769. The company has a current ratio of 0.16, a quick ratio of 0.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The firm has a market cap of $40.58 billion, a PE ratio of 15.17, a P/E/G ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 1.28. Prudential Financial has a fifty-two week low of $104.45 and a fifty-two week high of $130.55. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $113.57 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $119.03.

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Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The financial services provider reported $2.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.36 by ($0.40). Prudential Financial had a net margin of 4.01% and a return on equity of 15.86%. On average, analysts forecast that Prudential Financial will post 14.36 EPS for the current year.

Prudential Financial Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 13th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th were paid a dividend of $1.35 per share. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.76%. This is a boost from Prudential Financial's previous quarterly dividend of $1.30. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 18th. Prudential Financial's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 72.29%.

Insider Activity at Prudential Financial

In related news, EVP Andrew F. Sullivan sold 6,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.98, for a total transaction of $635,880.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 27,072 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,869,090.56. This trade represents a 18.14 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Insurance Co Of Ame Prudential bought 87,047 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 12th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $28.72 per share, with a total value of $2,499,989.84. Following the purchase, the insider now directly owns 87,047 shares in the company, valued at $2,499,989.84. The trade was a ∞ increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.31% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its stake in Prudential Financial by 8.2% in the 3rd quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 11,404 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,381,000 after buying an additional 861 shares during the last quarter. Caprock Group LLC grew its holdings in Prudential Financial by 5.2% in the third quarter. Caprock Group LLC now owns 9,679 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,172,000 after purchasing an additional 479 shares during the period. Prospera Financial Services Inc raised its stake in Prudential Financial by 3.9% during the third quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc now owns 8,466 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,026,000 after purchasing an additional 318 shares during the period. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Prudential Financial by 69.7% in the 3rd quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,252 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $757,000 after purchasing an additional 2,567 shares during the last quarter. Finally, B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG purchased a new stake in shares of Prudential Financial during the 3rd quarter valued at $2,876,000. 56.83% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Prudential Financial Company Profile

Prudential Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance, investment management, and other financial products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through PGIM, Retirement Strategies, Group Insurance, Individual Life, and International Businesses segments.