Aegon (NYSE:AEG) Stock Rating Upgraded by BNP Paribas Exane

BNP Paribas Exane upgraded shares of Aegon (NYSE:AEG - Free Report) from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research note released on Wednesday, Marketbeat.com reports.

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Aegon from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, March 31st.

Aegon Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE AEG traded up $0.03 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $6.74. The company had a trading volume of 14,720,859 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,032,095. The company has a market cap of $14.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.02 and a beta of 0.91. Aegon has a 52 week low of $5.42 and a 52 week high of $6.96. The business's 50-day moving average is $6.34 and its 200 day moving average is $6.31.

Aegon Increases Dividend

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Aegon

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Bessemer Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Aegon by 526.8% during the first quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 4,325 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 3,635 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Aegon by 1,136.2% during the 4th quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 4,846 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 4,454 shares during the period. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new position in Aegon during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $48,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its position in Aegon by 70.6% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 9,184 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $54,000 after acquiring an additional 3,802 shares during the period. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG acquired a new stake in Aegon during the 1st quarter worth about $61,000. 4.32% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.