Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI Invests $19.01 Million in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG)

Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI purchased a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG - Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 161,594 shares of the insurance provider's stock, valued at approximately $19,005,000. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI owned 0.06% of The Hartford Financial Services Group as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. DT Investment Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Quest Partners LLC boosted its stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 2,750.0% in the second quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 285 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 275 shares in the last quarter. Family Firm Inc. bought a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group in the second quarter valued at about $31,000. Clean Yield Group acquired a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group during the third quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, BNP Paribas bought a new position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in the third quarter worth about $35,000. Institutional investors own 93.42% of the company's stock.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Trading Down 1.4 %

The Hartford Financial Services Group stock traded down $1.68 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $119.54. 982,217 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,285,954. The firm has a market capitalization of $34.65 billion, a PE ratio of 11.98, a PEG ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a quick ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $117.86 and its 200 day simple moving average is $110.87. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $77.82 and a twelve month high of $124.90.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 3rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 2nd will be issued a $0.52 dividend. This is an increase 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 yield of 1.74%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 2nd. The Hartford Financial Services Group's payout ratio is presently 20.84%.

Insider Buying and Selling at The Hartford Financial Services Group

In other news, EVP Adin M. Tooker sold 6,865 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.04, for a total transaction of $803,479.60. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 25,820 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,021,972.80. This represents a 21.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Insiders own 1.60% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, November 15th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $133.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 29th. BMO Capital Markets upped 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 report on Wednesday, November 27th. Barclays started coverage on The Hartford Financial Services Group in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $130.00 price target on the stock. Finally, UBS Group upped their price objective on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $134.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, The Hartford Financial Services Group currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $122.00.

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.