Voya Financial (NYSE:VOYA) Sees Strong Trading Volume - Should You Buy?

Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE:VOYA - Get Free Report) shares saw strong trading volume on Wednesday . 1,094,444 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 44% from the previous session's volume of 759,351 shares.The stock last traded at $70.56 and had previously closed at $68.43.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

VOYA has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of Voya Financial from $87.00 to $82.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. UBS Group raised Voya Financial to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Monday, November 11th. Evercore ISI dropped their target price on shares of Voya Financial from $94.00 to $89.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on shares of Voya Financial from $90.00 to $85.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Bank of America reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $83.00 price target (down from $91.00) on shares of Voya Financial in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Voya Financial presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $82.18.

Voya Financial Trading Up 1.9 %

The company has a market cap of $6.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.80, a PEG ratio of 0.46 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a current ratio of 0.30, a quick ratio of 0.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59. The stock's 50 day moving average is $70.78 and its 200-day moving average is $74.10.

Voya Financial (NYSE:VOYA - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The asset manager reported $1.50 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.15 by ($0.65). Voya Financial had a return on equity of 14.10% and a net margin of 8.29%. Research analysts anticipate that Voya Financial, Inc. will post 8.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Voya Financial Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 27th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 25th will be given a $0.45 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 25th. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.49%. Voya Financial's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 29.41%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in VOYA. Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its holdings in shares of Voya Financial by 81.0% during the fourth quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 409 shares of the asset manager's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 183 shares during the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new stake in Voya Financial in the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in Voya Financial by 207.0% in the 4th quarter. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 485 shares of the asset manager's stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 327 shares in the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. grew its position in shares of Voya Financial by 118.9% in the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 440 shares of the asset manager's stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 239 shares in the last quarter. Finally, R Squared Ltd acquired a new position in Voya Financial during the fourth quarter worth $41,000. 96.10% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Voya Financial Company Profile

Voya Financial, Inc engages in the provision of workplace benefits and savings products in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Wealth Solutions, Health Solutions, and Investment Management. The Wealth Solutions segment offers full-service retirement products; recordkeeping services; stable value and fixed general account investment products; non-qualified plan administration services; and tools, guidance, and services to promote the financial well-being and retirement security of employees.