Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) Given Consensus Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Shares of Unum Group (NYSE:UNM - Get Free Report) have been given an average rating of "Moderate Buy" by the thirteen analysts that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and nine have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $81.17.

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Evercore ISI upgraded shares of Unum Group from an "in-line" rating to an "outperform" rating and raised their target price for the stock from $67.00 to $84.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 14th. BMO Capital Markets assumed coverage on shares of Unum Group in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. They set an "outperform" rating and a $91.00 target price on the stock. Piper Sandler raised their target price on shares of Unum Group from $82.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on shares of Unum Group from $91.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Unum Group from $76.00 to $85.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, January 6th.

Unum Group Price Performance

Shares of UNM stock traded down $0.72 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $74.07. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,204,077 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,129,832. The business has a fifty day moving average of $74.28 and a 200-day moving average of $66.61. The stock has a market cap of $13.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.82, a P/E/G ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 0.80. Unum Group has a twelve month low of $48.38 and a twelve month high of $79.43. The company has a current ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The financial services provider reported $2.03 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.14 by ($0.11). Unum Group had a net margin of 13.81% and a return on equity of 14.91%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Unum Group will post 9.14 EPS for the current year.

Unum Group declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback plan on Tuesday, February 18th that allows the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the financial services provider to reacquire up to 7.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are often an indication that the company's management believes its stock is undervalued.

Unum Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 24th were paid a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.27%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 24th. Unum Group's dividend payout ratio is presently 17.74%.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Timothy Gerald Arnold sold 10,000 shares of Unum Group stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.92, for a total transaction of $769,200.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 54,827 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,217,292.84. The trade was a 15.43 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.93% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Unum Group

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Barrett & Company Inc. increased its stake in Unum Group by 300.0% during the 4th quarter. Barrett & Company Inc. now owns 396 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 297 shares during the period. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in Unum Group during the 3rd quarter worth $31,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Unum Group during the 4th quarter worth $38,000. Millstone Evans Group LLC acquired a new position in Unum Group during the 4th quarter worth $45,000. Finally, Quarry LP grew its holdings in Unum Group by 4,794.7% during the 3rd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 930 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $55,000 after acquiring an additional 911 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.57% of the company's stock.

About Unum Group

Unum Group, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial protection benefit solutions primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, and internationally. It operates through Unum US, Unum International, Colonial Life, and Closed Block segment. The company offers group long-term and short-term disability, group life, and accidental death and dismemberment products; supplemental and voluntary products, such as individual disability, voluntary benefits, and dental and vision products; and accident, sickness, disability, life, and cancer and critical illness products.