Aegon NV (NYSE:AEG) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Aegon NV (NYSE:AEG) was the target of a large growth in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 1,549,045 shares, a growth of 47.1% from the January 29th total of 1,053,012 shares. Currently, 0.1% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 6,562,942 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.2 days. Based on an average daily volume of 6,562,942 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.2 days. Currently, 0.1% of the company’s stock are sold short.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on AEG. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Aegon from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, February 21st. UBS Group downgraded Aegon from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on Aegon in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. They set a “hold” rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley reissued an “overweight” rating on shares of Aegon in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised Aegon from a “buy (b+)” rating to a “buy (a-)” rating in a research report on Monday, February 23rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy”.

Aegon Stock Down 1.3%

Shares of NYSE:AEG traded down $0.10 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $7.41. 4,592,281 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,035,257. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $7.69 and its 200-day simple moving average is $7.69. Aegon has a one year low of $5.42 and a one year high of $8.15. The company has a market cap of $14.86 billion, a P/E ratio of -46.28, a P/E/G ratio of 0.20 and a beta of 0.78.

Aegon Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 6th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 15th will be issued a $0.2469 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 15th. This represents a dividend yield of 671.0%. Aegon’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -237.50%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AEG. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC acquired a new stake in Aegon in the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. CWM LLC grew its holdings in shares of Aegon by 87.2% in the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 5,767 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $46,000 after acquiring an additional 2,687 shares in the last quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust increased its position in shares of Aegon by 299.5% in the third quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 7,410 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $59,000 after acquiring an additional 5,555 shares during the last quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky acquired a new stake in shares of Aegon in the third quarter valued at about $64,000. Finally, Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. bought a new stake in Aegon during the second quarter worth about $74,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 4.32% of the company’s stock.

About Aegon

Aegon N.V. is a multinational financial services company headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, specializing in life insurance, pensions and asset management. Established in 1983 through the merger of AGO and Ennia, Aegon has built a reputation for offering retirement solutions, savings products and protection plans aimed at helping customers secure their financial futures. The company operates under well-known brands, including Transamerica in the United States, and serves both individual and corporate clients.

Throughout its history, Aegon has pursued strategic acquisitions and partnerships to strengthen its market position and broaden its service offerings.