Mizuho Securities USA LLC Boosts Stock Position in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG)

Mizuho Securities USA LLC raised its stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG - Free Report) by 44.6% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 27,475 shares of the insurance provider's stock after buying an additional 8,475 shares during the quarter. Mizuho Securities USA LLC's holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group were worth $3,006,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. lifted its stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 3,342.9% in the fourth quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 241 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 234 shares in the last quarter. Barrett & Company Inc. lifted its position in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 46.5% in the 4th quarter. Barrett & Company Inc. now owns 293 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas purchased a new stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group during the 3rd quarter valued at $35,000. DT Investment Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 49.8% in the 4th quarter. DT Investment Partners LLC now owns 331 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Flagship Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in the fourth quarter worth $36,000. Institutional investors own 93.42% of the company's stock.

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The Hartford Financial Services Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:HIG traded up $0.45 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $123.11. The stock had a trading volume of 1,640,118 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,465,914. The company has a market cap of $35.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 0.91. The business's 50 day moving average price is $115.10 and its 200 day moving average price is $115.18. The company has a current ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $94.47 and a 1 year high of $124.90.

The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE:HIG - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The insurance provider reported $2.94 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.68 by $0.26. The Hartford Financial Services Group had a net margin of 11.72% and a return on equity of 19.55%. Research analysts expect that The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. will post 11.11 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.52 per share. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.69%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 3rd. The Hartford Financial Services Group's dividend payout ratio is 20.10%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have issued reports on HIG shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their target price on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $139.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 5th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a "sector perform" rating and set a $125.00 price target on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $130.00 to $126.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Barclays raised The Hartford Financial Services Group from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and increased their target price for the company from $130.00 to $135.00 in a report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $100.00 to $141.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 27th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $122.94.

Insider Activity at The Hartford Financial Services Group

In other news, EVP Robert W. Paiano sold 13,138 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.20, for a total transaction of $1,539,773.60. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 31,678 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,712,661.60. The trade was a 29.32 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Christopher Swift sold 98,061 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, March 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.39, for a total value of $11,805,563.79. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 211,082 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $25,412,161.98. This represents a 31.72 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.60% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.