Algert Global LLC Acquires 1,043 Shares of Primerica, Inc. (NYSE:PRI)

Algert Global LLC raised its holdings in Primerica, Inc. (NYSE:PRI - Free Report) by 9.4% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 12,111 shares of the financial services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 1,043 shares during the quarter. Algert Global LLC's holdings in Primerica were worth $3,287,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of PRI. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in Primerica in the fourth quarter worth $34,191,000. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Primerica by 254.5% during the 4th quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 116,271 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $31,558,000 after buying an additional 83,477 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Primerica by 11.9% during the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 779,760 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $211,691,000 after acquiring an additional 82,921 shares in the last quarter. FIL Ltd grew its stake in Primerica by 85.5% in the fourth quarter. FIL Ltd now owns 131,365 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $35,655,000 after acquiring an additional 60,565 shares during the period. Finally, Northern Trust Corp increased its holdings in shares of Primerica by 15.6% in the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 347,040 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $94,194,000 after acquiring an additional 46,935 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.88% of the company's stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, President Peter W. Schneider sold 2,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $282.90, for a total value of $565,800.00. Following the sale, the president now directly owns 13,301 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,762,852.90. This represents a 13.07 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Glenn J. Williams sold 3,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $281.74, for a total transaction of $845,220.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 33,322 shares of the company's stock, valued at $9,388,140.28. This trade represents a 8.26 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 5,234 shares of company stock valued at $1,476,575. 0.61% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Primerica Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:PRI opened at $266.24 on Thursday. The company's 50-day moving average price is $270.36 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $280.24. Primerica, Inc. has a one year low of $217.56 and a one year high of $307.91. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.81 billion, a PE ratio of 19.36 and a beta of 1.02.

Primerica (NYSE:PRI - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The financial services provider reported $5.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.77 by $0.25. The business had revenue of $803.56 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $783.54 million. Primerica had a return on equity of 31.11% and a net margin of 15.14%. Primerica's revenue was up 8.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.91 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Primerica, Inc. will post 20.6 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Primerica Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 14th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st were paid a $1.04 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 21st. This is a boost from Primerica's previous quarterly dividend of $0.90. This represents a $4.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.56%. Primerica's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 30.25%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on PRI shares. BMO Capital Markets assumed coverage on Primerica in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. They set a "market perform" rating and a $311.00 price objective on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price target on shares of Primerica from $320.00 to $315.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of Primerica from $313.00 to $304.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 28th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Primerica from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, February 7th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $309.14.

Primerica Profile

Primerica, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services to middle-income households in the United States and Canada. The company operates in four segments: Term Life Insurance; Investment and Savings Products; Senior Health; and Corporate and Other Distributed Products.

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