Kemper (NYSE:KMPR) Reaches New 1-Year High After Better-Than-Expected Earnings

Shares of Kemper Co. (NYSE:KMPR) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday following a stronger than expected earnings report. The stock traded as high as $67.22 and last traded at $65.46, with a volume of 24615 shares. The stock had previously closed at $64.16.

The insurance provider reported $1.62 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.30 by $0.32. The firm had revenue of $1.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.07 billion. Kemper had a return on equity of 7.27% and a net margin of 1.11%. The firm’s revenue was down 1.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned ($0.44) earnings per share.

Kemper Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, August 19th were paid a dividend of $0.31 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 19th. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.87%. Kemper’s dividend payout ratio is currently 158.98%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have issued reports on KMPR. StockNews.com lowered Kemper from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, September 8th. Raymond James raised their price target on Kemper from $70.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. JMP Securities reiterated a “market outperform” rating and issued a $85.00 price objective on shares of Kemper in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Kemper from $67.00 to $71.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 13th. Finally, Piper Sandler lifted their target price on shares of Kemper from $77.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $76.20.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Kemper

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Inspire Investing LLC raised its position in Kemper by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter. Inspire Investing LLC now owns 5,943 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $353,000 after buying an additional 177 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in Kemper by 114.7% in the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 541 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 289 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its holdings in Kemper by 3.2% in the 2nd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 10,076 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $598,000 after purchasing an additional 311 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP increased its position in Kemper by 105.1% during the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 642 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 329 shares during the period. Finally, Arizona State Retirement System raised its stake in shares of Kemper by 2.3% during the 2nd quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 18,010 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $1,069,000 after buying an additional 397 shares in the last quarter. 86.23% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Kemper Stock Up 3.2 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.22 and a current ratio of 0.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 82.26 and a beta of 0.85. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $61.61 and a 200 day moving average price of $60.55.

About Kemper

Kemper Corporation, a diversified insurance holding company, engages in the provision of insurance products to individuals and businesses in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Specialty Property & Casualty Insurance, Preferred Property & Casualty Insurance, and Life & Health Insurance.