The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE:HIG) Earns "Sector Perform" Rating from Royal Bank of Canada

The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE:HIG - Get Free Report)'s stock had its "sector perform" rating reaffirmed by research analysts at Royal Bank of Canada in a research note issued on Monday,Benzinga reports. They presently have a $125.00 price objective on the insurance provider's stock. Royal Bank of Canada's price target indicates a potential upside of 10.24% from the stock's current price.

Several other analysts have also recently commented on the company. StockNews.com upgraded The Hartford Financial Services Group from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, November 15th. Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $121.00 to $124.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 10th. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $134.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $100.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 27th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $122.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $122.94.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Trading Down 0.2 %

NYSE HIG traded down $0.22 on Monday, hitting $113.39. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,279,462 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,705,083. The firm has a market cap of $32.87 billion, a PE ratio of 10.96, a PEG ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 0.97. The company's 50-day moving average is $112.31 and its 200 day moving average is $113.68. The company has a quick ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The Hartford Financial Services Group has a 1-year low of $89.04 and a 1-year high of $124.90.

The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE:HIG - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The insurance provider reported $2.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.68 by $0.26. The Hartford Financial Services Group had a return on equity of 19.55% and a net margin of 11.72%. As a group, analysts predict that The Hartford Financial Services Group will post 11.46 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Adin M. Tooker sold 6,865 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.04, for a total value of $803,479.60. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 25,820 shares in the company, valued at $3,021,972.80. The trade was a 21.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 1.60% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. DT Investment Partners LLC purchased a new stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group during the third quarter worth about $26,000. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. increased its stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 3,342.9% during the 4th quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 241 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 234 shares during the last quarter. Clean Yield Group bought a new stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Barrett & Company Inc. lifted its stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 46.5% in the fourth quarter. Barrett & Company Inc. now owns 293 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas bought a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group during the third quarter valued at $35,000. Institutional investors own 93.42% of the company's stock.

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.