Vest Financial LLC Boosts Position in Unum Group (NYSE:UNM)

Vest Financial LLC lifted its position in Unum Group (NYSE:UNM - Free Report) by 30.4% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 34,103 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 7,944 shares during the period. Vest Financial LLC's holdings in Unum Group were worth $2,491,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in UNM. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its stake in Unum Group by 9.5% in the 2nd quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 36,132 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,847,000 after purchasing an additional 3,143 shares during the last quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Unum Group in the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,141,000. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in Unum Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $513,000. Diversified Trust Co bought a new position in Unum Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $211,000. Finally, Atomi Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in Unum Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $223,000. Institutional investors own 86.57% of the company's stock.

Unum Group Stock Performance

Shares of Unum Group stock traded up $0.02 on Wednesday, reaching $75.18. 960,943 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,121,156. Unum Group has a 52 week low of $47.65 and a 52 week high of $79.43. The company has a 50 day moving average of $74.21 and a 200 day moving average of $65.87. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.73 billion, a PE ratio of 7.94, a PEG ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.29 and a quick ratio of 0.28.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data 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 return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 13.81%. Equities analysts forecast that Unum Group will post 9.12 earnings per share for the current year.

Unum Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 14th. Investors of record on Friday, January 24th will be issued a dividend of $0.42 per share. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.23%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 24th. Unum Group's dividend payout ratio is currently 17.74%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Gloria C. Larson sold 10,000 shares of Unum Group stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $74.50, for a total transaction of $745,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 121,491 shares of the company's stock, valued at $9,051,079.50. This trade represents a 7.61 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Richard P. Mckenney sold 58,865 shares of Unum Group stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.39, for a total transaction of $4,437,832.35. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,007,003 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $75,917,956.17. This trade represents a 5.52 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 98,164 shares of company stock valued at $7,346,040 in the last quarter. Insiders own 0.93% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently commented on UNM shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on shares of Unum Group from $88.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $79.00 target price (up previously from $74.00) on shares of Unum Group in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. Piper Sandler boosted their price objective on shares of Unum Group from $82.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. BMO Capital Markets started coverage on shares of Unum Group in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $91.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Truist Financial boosted their target price on shares of Unum Group from $70.00 to $75.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $80.33.

Unum Group Company Profile

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.