Algert Global LLC Raises Holdings in Lincoln National Co. (NYSE:LNC)

Algert Global LLC boosted its stake in Lincoln National Co. (NYSE:LNC - Free Report) by 32.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 266,344 shares of the financial services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 65,934 shares during the period. Algert Global LLC owned about 0.16% of Lincoln National worth $8,446,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new stake in shares of Lincoln National during the third quarter worth $535,000. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its position in Lincoln National by 89.1% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 95,677 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $3,149,000 after purchasing an additional 45,086 shares in the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Lincoln National by 7.2% in the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 3,309,453 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $104,281,000 after buying an additional 223,129 shares during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its position in shares of Lincoln National by 20.2% during the fourth quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 2,104 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $67,000 after buying an additional 354 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in shares of Lincoln National by 9.1% during the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 6,696 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $212,000 after buying an additional 556 shares during the period. 72.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have commented on LNC. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Lincoln National from $32.00 to $38.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on Lincoln National from $42.00 to $32.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 10th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on Lincoln National from $36.00 to $31.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 10th. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Lincoln National from $36.00 to $38.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, February 7th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their target price on Lincoln National from $40.00 to $38.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Lincoln National currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $35.91.

Lincoln National Stock Performance

LNC traded down $0.65 during trading on Thursday, hitting $33.34. The stock had a trading volume of 2,673,318 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,627,515. Lincoln National Co. has a twelve month low of $27.58 and a twelve month high of $39.85. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 1.81, a PEG ratio of 0.30 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a current ratio of 0.27. The company's 50-day moving average price is $33.53 and its 200 day moving average price is $34.01.

Lincoln National (NYSE:LNC - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 8th. The financial services provider reported $1.60 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.54 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $4.69 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.71 billion. Lincoln National had a net margin of 17.76% and a return on equity of 18.47%. The firm's revenue was up 14.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.41 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Lincoln National Co. will post 7.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Lincoln National Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 10th were issued a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 10th. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.40%. Lincoln National's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 9.79%.

About Lincoln National

Lincoln National Corporation, through its subsidiaries, operates multiple insurance and retirement businesses in the United States. It operates in four segments: Life Insurance, Annuities, Group Protection, and Retirement Plan Services. The Life Insurance segment provides life insurance products, including term insurance, universal life insurance (UL), indexed universal life insurance, variable universal life insurance (VUL), linked-benefit UL and VUL products, and critical illness and long-term care riders.