The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG) Stake Increased by Howard Capital Management Inc.

Howard Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG) by 5.3% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,164 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 108 shares during the quarter. Howard Capital Management Inc.’s holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group were worth $237,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in HIG. Private Advisor Group LLC boosted its holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 23.9% in the third quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 18,725 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $2,202,000 after purchasing an additional 3,618 shares during the period. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 40.5% in the third quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 64,610 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $7,545,000 after purchasing an additional 18,615 shares during the period. PFG Investments LLC boosted its holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 5.5% in the third quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 2,631 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $309,000 after purchasing an additional 138 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 1.6% in the third quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 74,170 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $8,723,000 after purchasing an additional 1,178 shares during the period. Finally, Patriot Financial Group Insurance Agency LLC acquired a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group in the third quarter worth $217,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.42% of the company’s stock.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE HIG opened at $116.53 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $111.16 and its 200 day simple moving average is $114.32. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $94.32 and a fifty-two week high of $124.90. The stock has a market cap of $33.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.26, a P/E/G ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 0.97.

The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE:HIG) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The insurance provider reported $2.94 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.68 by $0.26. The Hartford Financial Services Group had a net margin of 11.72% and a return on equity of 19.55%. Equities analysts expect that The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. will post 11.11 EPS for the current year.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd will be given a $0.52 dividend. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 3rd. The Hartford Financial Services Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 20.10%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $100.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 27th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $130.00 to $126.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Barclays raised shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and boosted their price target for the company from $130.00 to $135.00 in a report on Monday, January 6th. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $127.00 to $130.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price target on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $139.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 5th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $122.94.

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.