Optas LLC Reduces Stock Position in Lloyds Banking Group plc (NYSE:LYG)

Optas LLC decreased its stake in shares of Lloyds Banking Group plc (NYSE:LYG) by 12.9% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 36,907 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 5,448 shares during the quarter. Optas LLC’s holdings in Lloyds Banking Group were worth $100,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in LYG. FMR LLC boosted its position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 14.7% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 19,280,034 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $60,154,000 after acquiring an additional 2,472,263 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 58.5% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 6,659,629 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $20,778,000 after buying an additional 2,456,914 shares during the period. Raymond James & Associates increased its holdings in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 37.4% during the 3rd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 3,416,484 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $10,659,000 after buying an additional 929,478 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. raised its position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 58.3% during the 3rd quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 1,703,943 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $5,316,000 after buying an additional 627,592 shares during the period. Finally, Maverick Capital Ltd. acquired a new position in Lloyds Banking Group in the third quarter valued at approximately $1,405,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 2.15% of the company’s stock.

Lloyds Banking Group Stock Performance

Lloyds Banking Group stock opened at $3.06 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $46.29 billion, a PE ratio of 7.83 and a beta of 1.31. Lloyds Banking Group plc has a fifty-two week low of $2.00 and a fifty-two week high of $3.24. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $2.78 and a 200 day moving average price of $2.91.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Morgan Stanley cut Lloyds Banking Group from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $2.75.

Lloyds Banking Group Company Profile

Lloyds Banking Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and financial services in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates in three segments: Retail; Commercial Banking; and Insurance, Pensions and Investments. The Retail segment offers a range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings, mortgages, motor finance, unsecured loans, leasing solutions, and credit cards to personal customers.