The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG) Stake Trimmed by Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund

Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund reduced its holdings in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG - Free Report) by 63.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 75,500 shares of the insurance provider's stock after selling 129,500 shares during the quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund's holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group were worth $8,880,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. International Assets Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 31,680.4% in the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 694,084 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $816,310,000 after buying an additional 691,900 shares during the last quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. increased its holdings in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 22.7% in the 3rd quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 1,199,542 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $141,078,000 after acquiring an additional 221,778 shares during the last quarter. Lighthouse Investment Partners LLC raised its position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 237.1% during the 2nd quarter. Lighthouse Investment Partners LLC now owns 299,364 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $30,098,000 after acquiring an additional 210,546 shares in the last quarter. Achmea Investment Management B.V. lifted its stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 168.8% during the second quarter. Achmea Investment Management B.V. now owns 235,392 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $23,666,000 after purchasing an additional 147,823 shares during the last quarter. Finally, RiverFront Investment Group LLC boosted its holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 127.6% in the second quarter. RiverFront Investment Group LLC now owns 215,832 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $21,700,000 after purchasing an additional 121,019 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.42% of the company's stock.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Price Performance

NYSE:HIG traded down $0.43 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $123.31. 816,408 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,590,110. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $117.46 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $110.16. The company has a current ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. The company has a market capitalization of $35.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.36, a P/E/G ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 0.94. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a one year low of $76.65 and a one year high of $124.90.

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 paid a $0.52 dividend. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.69%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 2nd. This is an increase from The Hartford Financial Services Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. The Hartford Financial Services Group's payout ratio is currently 18.84%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have weighed in on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on shares of 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. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on shares of 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. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $122.00 to $134.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, September 17th. Argus raised The Hartford Financial Services Group to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $100.00 to $141.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research report on Wednesday. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $122.00.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Adin M. Tooker sold 6,865 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.04, for a total value of $803,479.60. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 25,820 shares in the company, valued at $3,021,972.80. The trade was a 21.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Insiders own 1.60% of the company's stock.

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.