22,516 Shares in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG) Purchased by Avanza Fonder AB

Avanza Fonder AB acquired a new stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 22,516 shares of the insurance provider’s stock, valued at approximately $2,463,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Trust Co. of Vermont boosted its holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 27.9% in the 3rd quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 403 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $47,000 after buying an additional 88 shares during the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group increased its stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 4.0% during the third quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 2,444 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $287,000 after acquiring an additional 94 shares during the last quarter. Catalina Capital Group LLC raised its holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 4.3% in the 3rd quarter. Catalina Capital Group LLC now owns 2,488 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $293,000 after buying an additional 102 shares during the period. Meeder Advisory Services Inc. raised its stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 1.9% in the 3rd quarter. Meeder Advisory Services Inc. now owns 5,621 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $661,000 after acquiring an additional 104 shares during the period. Finally, Tectonic Advisors LLC lifted its stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 2.6% during the third quarter. Tectonic Advisors LLC now owns 4,566 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $537,000 after purchasing an additional 114 shares in the last quarter. 93.42% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Trading Down 0.5 %

Shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group stock opened at $111.96 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $114.14 and a 200 day moving average price of $112.48. The company has a market capitalization of $32.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.22, a P/E/G ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 0.32 and a quick ratio of 0.32. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $81.87 and a 1 year high of $124.90.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 2nd were given a $0.52 dividend. This is an increase from The Hartford Financial Services Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.86%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 2nd. The Hartford Financial Services Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 20.84%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have commented on HIG shares. Barclays raised shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and raised their price target for the company from $130.00 to $135.00 in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $113.00 to $127.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $100.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $122.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price objective on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $135.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, January 10th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $122.28.

Insider Activity at The Hartford Financial Services Group

In other news, EVP Adin M. Tooker sold 6,865 shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.04, for a total transaction of $803,479.60. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 25,820 shares in the company, valued at $3,021,972.80. The trade was a 21.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 1.60% of the company’s stock.

The Hartford Financial Services Group 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.