Kemper Co. (NYSE:KMPR) Short Interest Update

Kemper Co. (NYSE:KMPR) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,130,000 shares, a growth of 6.6% from the January 15th total of 1,060,000 shares. Approximately 1.9% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 346,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.3 days.

Kemper Trading Down 0.5 %

KMPR stock traded down $0.36 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $67.58. 326,889 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 336,464. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $66.15 and a 200-day simple moving average of $64.64. The company has a quick ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 0.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. Kemper has a 12-month low of $54.11 and a 12-month high of $73.01. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.76 and a beta of 0.88.

Kemper (NYSE:KMPR) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The insurance provider reported $1.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.38 by $0.40. Kemper had a return on equity of 14.11% and a net margin of 6.85%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Kemper will post 5.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kemper Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 4th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be issued a $0.32 dividend. This is a boost from Kemper’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.89%. Kemper’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 25.25%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. StockNews.com raised Kemper from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Piper Sandler upped their target price on Kemper from $83.00 to $86.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Raymond James raised their target price on Kemper from $75.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 26th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their price target on shares of Kemper from $72.00 to $84.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Kemper currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $81.60.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in shares of Kemper by 114.7% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 541 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 289 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC lifted its holdings in Kemper by 195.2% during the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 10,399 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $637,000 after buying an additional 6,876 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in Kemper by 83.3% during the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,227 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $132,000 after buying an additional 1,012 shares during the last quarter. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Kemper in the 3rd quarter valued at about $430,000. Finally, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its holdings in shares of Kemper by 5,590.0% in the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 569 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 559 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.23% of the company’s stock.

About Kemper

Kemper Corporation, a diversified insurance holding company, engages in the provision of insurance products to individuals and businesses in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Specialty Property & Casualty Insurance, Preferred Property & Casualty Insurance, and Life & Health Insurance.