Fmr LLC Decreases Stock Holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG)

FMR LLC cut its stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG - Free Report) by 2.7% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 13,880,877 shares of the insurance provider's stock after selling 381,883 shares during the period. FMR LLC owned about 4.79% of The Hartford Financial Services Group worth $1,632,530,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. New Covenant Trust Company N.A. bought a new position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group during the 1st quarter worth $26,000. DT Investment Partners LLC purchased a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group during the third quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Quest Partners LLC raised its stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 2,750.0% in the second quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 285 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 275 shares in the last quarter. Bank & Trust Co bought a new stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, Family Firm Inc. purchased a new position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.42% of the company's stock.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Stock Performance

NYSE:HIG traded up $1.12 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $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 fifty-two week low of $76.65 and a fifty-two week high of $124.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 0.32 and a quick ratio of 0.32. The firm has a market cap of $35.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.40, a P/E/G ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 0.94. The firm's 50 day moving average is $117.16 and its 200-day moving average is $109.84.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 2nd will be paid a $0.52 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 2nd. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend 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 dividend payout ratio is presently 18.84%.

Insider Buying and Selling

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

HIG has been the topic of several analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $122.00 to $134.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 17th. Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $121.00 to $124.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 10th. Barclays began coverage on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $130.00 price objective for the company. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $134.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $113.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. Ten 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 stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $122.00.

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.