Aegon (NYSE:AEG) Sees Strong Trading Volume - Time to Buy?

Aegon Ltd. (NYSE:AEG - Get Free Report) shares saw unusually-high trading volume on Thursday . Approximately 14,748,909 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 165% from the previous session's volume of 5,556,437 shares.The stock last traded at $7.13 and had previously closed at $7.03.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Aegon from a "hold" rating to an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Aegon from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane upgraded shares of Aegon from a "neutral" rating to an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th.

Aegon Price Performance

The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $6.50 and a 200 day simple moving average of $6.36. The company has a market cap of $15.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.50 and a beta of 0.91.

Aegon Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 7th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 17th will be issued a $0.1992 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 5.3%. This is a positive change from Aegon's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.17. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 17th. Aegon's payout ratio is 34.38%.

Aegon announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback program on Friday, May 16th that authorizes the company to buyback 0 outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the financial services provider to reacquire shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually a sign that the company's board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Aegon

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Bessemer Group Inc. raised its position in Aegon by 526.8% during the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 4,325 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 3,635 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Aegon by 1,136.2% in the 4th quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 4,846 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 4,454 shares during the last quarter. SVB Wealth LLC bought a new position in Aegon in the 1st quarter valued at $42,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in Aegon by 70.6% in the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 9,184 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $54,000 after purchasing an additional 3,802 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG purchased a new stake in shares of Aegon during the first quarter worth $61,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 4.32% of the company's stock.

Aegon Company Profile

Aegon Ltd. provides insurance, pensions, retirement, and asset management services in the United States, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company offers life, accident, property and casualty, and health insurance; annuities, retirement plans, mutual funds, and stable value solutions; residential mortgage and digital baking services; and retail and institutional investment management solutions and retirement savings vehicles and strategies.