UMB Bank n.a. Grows Stock Position in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG)

UMB Bank n.a. raised its position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG - Free Report) by 612.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 32,528 shares of the insurance provider's stock after buying an additional 27,963 shares during the period. UMB Bank n.a.'s holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group were worth $3,559,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of HIG. DT Investment Partners LLC bought a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group in the third quarter worth about $26,000. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. raised its position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 3,342.9% in 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 purchased a new position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $33,000. BNP Paribas bought a new stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group during the third quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group in the third quarter worth $40,000. 93.42% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE HIG traded down $0.05 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $111.88. The stock had a trading volume of 2,079,056 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,530,746. 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, Inc. has a 12-month low of $85.19 and a 12-month high of $124.90. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $113.92 and a 200-day moving average of $112.83. The company has a market capitalization of $32.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 0.98.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Increases Dividend

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently commented on the stock. 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. Bank of America raised their target price on shares of 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. UBS Group upped their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $134.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $134.00 to $130.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 14th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $100.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 27th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $122.28.

Insider Buying and Selling at The Hartford Financial Services Group

In other The Hartford Financial Services Group 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 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 $3,021,972.80. This represents a 21.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 1.60% of the company's stock.

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.