Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU) Stock Holdings Boosted by Russell Investments Group Ltd.

Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU - Free Report) by 18.7% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 284,682 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 44,882 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. owned 0.08% of Prudential Financial worth $33,724,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Prudential Financial by 0.5% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 41,850,558 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $4,960,547,000 after purchasing an additional 220,671 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Prudential Financial by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 8,856,360 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,050,635,000 after buying an additional 193,681 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in shares of Prudential Financial by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 2,454,278 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $290,906,000 after acquiring an additional 6,938 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Prudential Financial by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,409,521 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $285,601,000 after acquiring an additional 26,210 shares during the period. Finally, Amundi boosted its position in shares of Prudential Financial by 32.7% in the fourth quarter. Amundi now owns 1,535,514 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $181,851,000 after acquiring an additional 378,266 shares during the last quarter. 56.83% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Prudential Financial Stock Up 0.2 %

NYSE:PRU traded up $0.22 on Friday, reaching $98.70. The stock had a trading volume of 2,635,405 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,596,498. Prudential Financial, Inc. has a 12-month low of $90.38 and a 12-month high of $130.55. The stock has a market cap of $34.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 1.11. 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 company has a 50-day moving average of $108.98 and a 200 day moving average of $117.56.

Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 return on equity of 15.86% and a net margin of 4.01%. On average, research analysts predict that Prudential Financial, Inc. will post 14.36 earnings per share for the current year.

Prudential Financial Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 13th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th were issued a dividend of $1.35 per share. This is a positive change from Prudential Financial's previous quarterly dividend of $1.30. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.47%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 18th. Prudential Financial's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 72.29%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of Prudential Financial from $136.00 to $128.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on Prudential Financial from $128.00 to $126.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price target on Prudential Financial from $125.00 to $120.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Prudential Financial from $118.00 to $108.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Piper Sandler cut their price target on shares of Prudential Financial from $124.00 to $122.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Prudential Financial has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $122.77.

Insider Transactions at Prudential Financial

In other news, major shareholder Insurance Co Of Ame Prudential acquired 52,595 shares of Prudential Financial stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 25th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $28.52 per share, for a total transaction of $1,500,009.40. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider now directly owns 139,987 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,992,429.24. This trade represents a 60.18 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Andrew F. Sullivan sold 6,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 12th. The shares were 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 approximately $2,869,090.56. The trade was a 18.14 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.31% of the company's stock.

Prudential Financial 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.