Keynote Financial Services LLC Buys New Holdings in Unum Group (NYSE:UNM)

Keynote Financial Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 19,780 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $1,061,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of UNM. Salomon & Ludwin LLC bought a new position in shares of Unum Group during the 1st quarter worth about $28,000. MCF Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Unum Group in the first quarter worth about $35,000. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. bought a new position in Unum Group during the fourth quarter worth about $36,000. Rise Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Unum Group by 93.8% during the first quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 814 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 394 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Unum Group by 363.7% in the 1st quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 946 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $51,000 after purchasing an additional 742 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 86.57% of the company’s stock.

Unum Group Price Performance

Shares of UNM traded down $2.66 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $53.90. 2,014,488 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,317,370. The company has a current ratio of 0.28, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.01, a PEG ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 0.81. The business has a 50-day moving average of $51.98 and a 200 day moving average of $51.03. Unum Group has a one year low of $41.75 and a one year high of $58.17.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The financial services provider reported $2.16 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.02 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $3.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.23 billion. Unum Group had a return on equity of 15.55% and a net margin of 10.40%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.06 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Unum Group will post 8.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Unum Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 26th will be issued a dividend of $0.42 per share. This is a boost from Unum Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.37. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.12%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 26th. Unum Group’s payout ratio is currently 24.96%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently commented on UNM shares. Piper Sandler started coverage on Unum Group in a research note on Thursday, July 11th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $57.00 price target on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Unum Group from $64.00 to $66.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Unum Group from $64.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of Unum Group from $62.00 to $69.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Finally, Truist Financial upped their price objective on shares of Unum Group from $62.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $61.44.

Insider Buying and Selling at Unum Group

In other Unum Group news, Director Timothy F. Keaney sold 8,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $52.61, for a total value of $420,880.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 37,505 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,973,138.05. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Christopher W. Pyne sold 4,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $52.47, for a total transaction of $236,115.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 56,262 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,952,067.14. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Timothy F. Keaney sold 8,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $52.61, for a total transaction of $420,880.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 37,505 shares in the company, valued at $1,973,138.05. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.93% of the company’s stock.

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.