Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P. Has $3.81 Million Stock Holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG)

Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P. lessened its stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG) by 32.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 32,378 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after selling 15,578 shares during the quarter. Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P.’s holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group were worth $3,808,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. DT Investment Partners LLC acquired a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Clean Yield Group acquired a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Quest Partners LLC increased its stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 2,750.0% in the 2nd quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 285 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 275 shares during the period. Bank & Trust Co acquired a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, BNP Paribas acquired a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.42% of the company’s stock.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Stock Performance

NYSE HIG opened at $123.74 on Friday. The company’s fifty day moving average is $117.32 and its two-hundred day moving average is $109.94. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $76.65 and a 52-week high of $124.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 0.32 and a quick ratio of 0.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $35.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.40, a P/E/G ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 0.94.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, December 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.52 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 2nd. 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 1.68%. The Hartford Financial Services Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 18.84%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

HIG has been the topic of several research reports. Argus upgraded shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $100.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $121.00 to $124.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $122.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their target price on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $133.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 29th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, The Hartford Financial Services Group has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $122.00.

Insider Buying and Selling at The Hartford Financial Services Group

In other news, EVP Adin M. Tooker sold 6,865 shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group 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 sale, the executive vice president now owns 25,820 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,021,972.80. This trade represents a 21.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.60% of the company’s stock.

About The Hartford Financial Services Group

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.