AON (NYSE:AON) Sees Large Volume Increase After Analyst Upgrade

Shares of Aon plc (NYSE:AON) saw strong trading volume on Friday after JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on the stock from $379.00 to $394.00. JPMorgan Chase & Co. currently has an overweight rating on the stock. 506,644 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 69% from the previous session’s volume of 298,933 shares.The stock last traded at $354.61 and had previously closed at $354.98.

AON has been the topic of a number of other research reports. TD Cowen raised their price objective on shares of AON from $413.00 to $432.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 24th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on AON from $344.00 to $365.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 9th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price objective on AON from $385.00 to $415.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 29th. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded AON from an “underweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and increased their target price for the stock from $315.00 to $377.00 in a report on Monday, October 28th. Finally, Barclays upped their price objective on shares of AON from $394.00 to $440.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, November 21st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, AON presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $363.00.

Insider Transactions at AON

In other AON news, insider Lisa Stevens sold 1,275 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $387.68, for a total value of $494,292.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 8,077 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,131,291.36. The trade was a 13.63 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, COO Mindy F. Simon sold 650 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $394.34, for a total value of $256,321.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 1,816 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $716,121.44. This trade represents a 26.36 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.30% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AON

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in AON. Everence Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of AON by 109.8% in the 4th quarter. Everence Capital Management Inc. now owns 5,370 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,929,000 after purchasing an additional 2,810 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in AON by 53.1% during the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,347 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $484,000 after buying an additional 467 shares during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its holdings in shares of AON by 47.1% during the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 275 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $99,000 after buying an additional 88 shares in the last quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC bought a new position in shares of AON in the 3rd quarter worth about $79,390,000. Finally, B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its position in AON by 24.2% during the 3rd quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 872 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $302,000 after acquiring an additional 170 shares during the period. 86.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

AON Trading Down 0.2 %

The stock has a market cap of $76.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.91, a P/E/G ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.66, a current ratio of 2.05 and a quick ratio of 2.05. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $372.46 and its 200-day moving average price is $344.00.

AON Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 1st were issued a dividend of $0.675 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 1st. This represents a $2.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.76%. AON’s dividend payout ratio is currently 22.78%.

About AON

Aon plc, a professional services firm, provides a range of risk and human capital solutions worldwide. It offers commercial risk solutions, including retail brokerage, specialty solutions, global risk consulting and captives management, and affinity programs; and health solutions, such as health and benefits brokerages, and health care exchanges.