Unigestion Holding SA Purchases 204,734 Shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG)

Unigestion Holding SA lifted its position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG) by 1,524.2% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 218,166 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 204,734 shares during the period. Unigestion Holding SA owned 0.08% of The Hartford Financial Services Group worth $25,654,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in HIG. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 9.6% during the 2nd quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 5,893 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $593,000 after purchasing an additional 514 shares in the last quarter. Wedmont Private Capital grew its holdings in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 8.5% during the 2nd quarter. Wedmont Private Capital now owns 3,978 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $405,000 after purchasing an additional 312 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 19.5% in the second quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 72,992 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $7,339,000 after purchasing an additional 11,934 shares during the period. Baader Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised its stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 3.3% in the second quarter. Baader Bank Aktiengesellschaft now owns 7,438 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $743,000 after purchasing an additional 238 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wedge Capital Management L L P NC lifted its position in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 10.5% during the second quarter. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC now owns 430,770 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $43,310,000 after purchasing an additional 40,975 shares during the period. 93.42% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Stock Down 2.8 %

Shares of NYSE HIG opened at $112.99 on Wednesday. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $117.83 and its 200-day moving average price is $110.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a current ratio of 0.32. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $78.33 and a 52-week high of $124.90. The company has a market capitalization of $32.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 0.95.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 3rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.52 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 2nd. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.84%. This is a boost from The Hartford Financial Services Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. The Hartford Financial Services Group’s dividend payout ratio is 20.84%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

HIG has been the subject of several analyst reports. Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $121.00 to $124.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $122.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased 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 report on Tuesday, October 29th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $113.00 to $127.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 9th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 15th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, The Hartford Financial Services Group presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $122.00.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Adin M. Tooker sold 6,865 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.04, for a total transaction of $803,479.60. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 25,820 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,021,972.80. This trade represents a 21.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 1.60% of the company’s stock.

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.