Marshall Wace LLP Invests $10.50 Million in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG)

Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 95,987 shares of the insurance provider's stock, valued at approximately $10,501,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of HIG. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 7,251,389 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $792,796,000 after purchasing an additional 81,495 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 4.5% during the fourth quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 4,701,675 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $514,363,000 after acquiring an additional 202,487 shares in the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB lifted its holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 17.3% in the fourth quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 3,938,421 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $430,272,000 after buying an additional 581,103 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $416,340,000. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 0.7% during the fourth quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 3,448,982 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $377,319,000 after acquiring an additional 25,053 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.42% of the company's stock.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:HIG traded down $0.45 on Friday, reaching $118.79. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,813,977 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,569,718. The stock's 50-day moving average is $117.66 and its two-hundred day moving average is $115.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 0.32 and a quick ratio of 0.32. The stock has a market capitalization of $34.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.48, a PEG ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 0.68. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $95.00 and a 52-week high of $125.08.

The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE:HIG - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The insurance provider reported $2.20 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.15 by $0.05. The Hartford Financial Services Group had a net margin of 11.72% and a return on equity of 19.55%. The business had revenue of $6.81 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.97 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.34 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. will post 11.11 EPS for the current year.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a $0.52 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.75%. The Hartford Financial Services Group's payout ratio is currently 20.10%.

Insider Activity

In other The Hartford Financial Services Group news, CEO Christopher Swift sold 1,144 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $125.00, for a total value of $143,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 211,082 shares of the company's stock, valued at $26,385,250. This trade represents a 0.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Robert W. Paiano sold 13,138 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.20, for a total transaction of $1,539,773.60. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 31,678 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,712,661.60. This represents a 29.32 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 112,343 shares of company stock valued at $13,488,337 in the last 90 days. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $126.00 to $125.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 10th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $140.00 to $133.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Barclays increased their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a "sector perform" rating and set a $125.00 price objective on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Raymond James raised their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $125.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, March 31st. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $126.40.

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.