Bank of Montreal Can Has $50.87 Million Stock Holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG)

Bank of Montreal Can increased its position in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG - Free Report) by 4.9% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 435,627 shares of the insurance provider's stock after purchasing an additional 20,385 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can owned about 0.15% of The Hartford Financial Services Group worth $50,873,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in HIG. Tidal Investments LLC grew its holdings in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 108.4% during the first quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 19,098 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $1,968,000 after buying an additional 9,932 shares in the last quarter. New Covenant Trust Company N.A. acquired a new position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI increased its holdings in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 7.2% in the 1st quarter. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI now owns 5,220 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $538,000 after purchasing an additional 352 shares during the period. Swedbank AB acquired a new stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group during the first quarter worth approximately $53,980,000. Finally, Atria Investments Inc purchased a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group during the first quarter valued at approximately $1,328,000. 93.42% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Stock Performance

Shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group stock traded up $1.12 during trading on Thursday, reaching $123.74. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,044,597 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,593,472. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a one year low of $76.65 and a one year 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 has a market cap of $35.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 0.94. The business's fifty day moving average price is $117.32 and its 200-day moving average price is $109.94.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, December 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.52 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 2nd. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.68%. This is a positive change from The Hartford Financial Services Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. The Hartford Financial Services Group's payout ratio is 18.84%.

Insider Activity at The Hartford Financial Services Group

In related news, EVP Adin M. Tooker sold 6,865 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.04, for a total value of $803,479.60. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 25,820 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,021,972.80. This trade represents a 21.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 1.60% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on HIG shares. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on shares of 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. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $113.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 9th. Argus upgraded The Hartford Financial Services Group to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $122.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Bank of America boosted their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $121.00 to $124.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, October 10th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $122.00.

The Hartford Financial Services Group 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.