Analysts Set Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) PT at $46.00

Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) has earned a consensus rating of “Hold” from the fourteen analysts that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $46.25.

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. National Bankshares set a $45.00 target price on shares of Lincoln National in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Lincoln National from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on shares of Lincoln National from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Barclays boosted their price target on Lincoln National from $42.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on Lincoln National from $52.00 to $59.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, December 15th.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP John Christopher Kennedy sold 3,519 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.15, for a total value of $155,363.85. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 118,985 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,253,187.75. This trade represents a 2.87% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Owen Ryan bought 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was bought at an average price of $42.17 per share, with a total value of $84,340.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 12,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $506,040. This trade represents a 20.00% increase in their position. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Corporate insiders own 0.51% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in LNC. JPL Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Lincoln National during the third quarter valued at about $29,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC acquired a new stake in Lincoln National during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Advisors Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in Lincoln National in the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in Lincoln National during the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, Mather Group LLC. acquired a new position in Lincoln National during the third quarter valued at approximately $39,000. 72.81% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Lincoln National Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:LNC opened at $41.53 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a current ratio of 0.28. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $43.12 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $40.43. The stock has a market cap of $7.89 billion, a PE ratio of 3.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.42 and a beta of 1.32. Lincoln National has a one year low of $27.58 and a one year high of $46.82.

Lincoln National (NYSE:LNC) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The financial services provider reported $2.04 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.84 by $0.20. The company had revenue of $4.56 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.80 billion. Lincoln National had a return on equity of 18.77% and a net margin of 11.49%.During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.06 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that Lincoln National will post 7.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Lincoln National Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, January 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, January 12th. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.3%. Lincoln National’s dividend payout ratio is currently 16.16%.

About Lincoln National

Lincoln National Corporation, doing business as Lincoln Financial Group, is a diversified financial services holding company focused on providing retirement, insurance, and wealth management solutions in the United States and select international markets. Headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, the company operates through several business segments, including Retirement Plan Services, Life Insurance, and Group Protection. Its offerings are designed to help individuals, families, and institutions plan and prepare for their financial futures.

The Retirement Plan Services segment delivers recordkeeping, administrative services, and investment management for defined contribution and defined benefit plans.