The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG) Short Interest Up 10.8% in November

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 3,180,000 shares, an increase of 10.8% from the November 15th total of 2,870,000 shares. Approximately 1.1% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,490,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.1 days.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Trading Up 1.0 %

Shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group stock traded up $1.16 on Friday, reaching $112.08. 1,615,671 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,598,587. The company has a market capitalization of $32.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 0.95. The Hartford Financial Services Group has a 52 week low of $78.33 and a 52 week high of $124.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a current ratio of 0.32. The firm's 50-day moving average is $117.41 and its two-hundred day moving average is $111.31.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.52 per share. This is an increase from The Hartford Financial Services Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 2nd. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.86%. The Hartford Financial Services Group's payout ratio is currently 20.84%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Adin M. Tooker sold 6,865 shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group 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 sale, the executive vice president now owns 25,820 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,021,972.80. The trade was a 21.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.60% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. DT Investment Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group during the third quarter valued at about $26,000. Quest Partners LLC increased its stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 2,750.0% in the 2nd quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 285 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 275 shares during the last quarter. Family Firm Inc. bought a new position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Clean Yield Group purchased a new position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, BNP Paribas bought a new position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in the third quarter valued at approximately $35,000. 93.42% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have weighed in on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on shares of 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. Bank of America lifted their price target on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $121.00 to $124.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 10th. StockNews.com raised The Hartford Financial Services Group from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, November 15th. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $100.00 to $141.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a report on Wednesday, November 27th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $133.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 29th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, The Hartford Financial Services Group currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $122.00.

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.