BNP Paribas Financial Markets Has $148.94 Million Position in Aon plc $AON

BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its holdings in shares of Aon plc (NYSE:AON) by 78.3% during the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 422,064 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 185,296 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets’ holdings in AON were worth $148,938,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Westside Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of AON by 100.0% during the 3rd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 70 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Watch Advisors INC bought a new position in shares of AON during the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of AON during the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Strive Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of AON during the 3rd quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC bought a new position in shares of AON during the 3rd quarter valued at $37,000. Institutional investors own 86.14% of the company’s stock.

AON Stock Performance

Shares of AON opened at $315.63 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $67.41 billion, a PE ratio of 17.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 0.72. Aon plc has a one year low of $304.59 and a one year high of $381.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.36, a current ratio of 1.95 and a quick ratio of 1.95. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $321.71 and its 200 day moving average price is $334.14.

AON (NYSE:AON) last announced its earnings results on Saturday, May 2nd. The financial services provider reported $6.48 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.37 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $5.03 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.97 billion. AON had a net margin of 22.54% and a return on equity of 43.50%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $5.67 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Aon plc will post 19.1 earnings per share for the current year.

AON Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 1st were issued a dividend of $0.82 per share. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 1st. This is a positive change from AON’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.75. AON’s payout ratio is presently 16.36%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on AON shares. Barclays cut their price target on shares of AON from $381.00 to $372.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 8th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating and set a $408.00 price target on shares of AON in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Mizuho cut their price target on shares of AON from $394.00 to $389.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, May 5th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of AON from $443.00 to $402.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of AON from $406.00 to $396.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 9th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, AON currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $396.81.

About AON

Aon plc is a global professional services firm that provides a broad suite of risk, retirement and health solutions to corporations, institutions and individuals. The company operates primarily as an insurance broker and risk adviser, helping clients identify, quantify and transfer risk across property, casualty, cyber and other areas. Aon also offers reinsurance brokerage and capital market solutions that connect insurers, reinsurers and corporate buyers.

In addition to traditional brokerage activities, Aon delivers consulting and outsourcing services in areas such as human capital, benefits, and retirement plan design and administration.