Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. Buys 3,576 Shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG)

Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. increased its position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG - Free Report) by 6.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 58,718 shares of the insurance provider's stock after acquiring an additional 3,576 shares during the period. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc.'s holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group were worth $6,424,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of HIG. DT Investment Partners LLC bought a new stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group during the third quarter worth approximately $26,000. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. boosted 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 acquiring an additional 234 shares in the last quarter. Clean Yield Group acquired a new position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in the 3rd quarter worth $33,000. BNP Paribas acquired a new stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group during the third quarter worth $35,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group during the third quarter valued at $40,000. 93.42% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Stock Performance

Shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group stock traded down $0.42 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $111.57. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,810,747 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,552,288. The business's fifty day moving average price is $113.80 and its 200-day moving average price is $112.93. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a one year low of $85.34 and a one year high of $124.90. The firm has a market cap of $32.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 0.98. 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 Hartford Financial Services Group Increases Dividend

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

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Adin M. Tooker sold 6,865 shares of the company's 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 transaction, the executive vice president now owns 25,820 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,021,972.80. This represents a 21.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 1.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on HIG. Barclays raised The Hartford Financial Services Group from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $130.00 to $135.00 in a research note on Monday, January 6th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, November 15th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $135.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, January 10th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $113.00 to $127.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 9th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $134.00 to $130.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $122.28.

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.