Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P. Trims Stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG)

Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P. trimmed its holdings in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG - Free Report) by 32.5% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 32,378 shares of the insurance provider's stock after selling 15,578 shares during the quarter. Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P.'s holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group were worth $3,808,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of HIG. DT Investment Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Quest Partners LLC lifted its holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 2,750.0% during the second quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 285 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 275 shares during the last quarter. Bank & Trust Co bought a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group during the second quarter worth about $30,000. Family Firm Inc. purchased a new position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in the second quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, Clean Yield Group bought a new stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in the third quarter valued at approximately $33,000. 93.42% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently commented on HIG shares. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $100.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a report on Wednesday. Barclays began coverage on The Hartford Financial Services Group in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $130.00 price target for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $122.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. StockNews.com upgraded The Hartford Financial Services Group from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, November 15th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $134.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $122.00.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Price Performance

Shares of HIG traded down $0.37 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $123.37. The stock had a trading volume of 816,408 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,590,110. The company's 50-day moving average is $117.46 and its 200 day moving average is $110.10. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $76.65 and a 12-month high of $124.90. 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 $35.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 0.94.

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 issued a $0.52 dividend. This is a boost 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 1.69%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 2nd. The Hartford Financial Services Group's dividend payout ratio is presently 18.84%.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Adin M. Tooker sold 6,865 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 15th. The stock was 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 of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,021,972.80. The trade was a 21.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.