The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG) Shares Bought by Freedom Investment Management Inc.

Freedom Investment Management Inc. grew its position in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG) by 9.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 9,218 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after buying an additional 825 shares during the quarter. Freedom Investment Management Inc.’s holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group were worth $1,084,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in HIG. DT Investment Partners LLC acquired a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group during the third quarter worth about $26,000. New Covenant Trust Company N.A. acquired a new position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group during the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. Clean Yield Group purchased a new stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Quest Partners LLC lifted 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 in the last quarter. Finally, Bank & Trust Co acquired a new stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.42% of the company’s stock.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Stock Performance

The Hartford Financial Services Group stock opened at $123.74 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $35.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 0.94. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $76.65 and a 12 month 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 stock’s 50-day moving average is $117.16 and its 200-day moving average is $109.84.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, December 2nd will be issued a $0.52 dividend. This is a positive change from The Hartford Financial Services Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 2nd. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.68%. The Hartford Financial Services Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 18.84%.

Insider Buying and Selling at The Hartford Financial Services Group

In other The Hartford Financial Services Group news, EVP Adin M. Tooker sold 6,865 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.04, for a total value 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 trade represents a 21.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target 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. Barclays started coverage on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $130.00 target price for the company. Argus raised shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $134.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised 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. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has assigned 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 price target of $122.00.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Company 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.