Aquatic Capital Management LLC Takes $277,000 Position in Prudential plc (NYSE:PUK)

Aquatic Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Prudential plc (NYSE:PUK - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 17,377 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $277,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its position in Prudential by 417.0% in the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,856 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 1,497 shares in the last quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Prudential in the fourth quarter worth $30,000. Advisors Preferred LLC acquired a new position in Prudential during the fourth quarter worth $31,000. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in Prudential by 95.8% during the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,303 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 1,127 shares during the last quarter. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI lifted its position in shares of Prudential by 52.6% in the fourth quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 3,042 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $48,000 after buying an additional 1,049 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 1.90% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

PUK has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Citigroup reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Prudential in a report on Tuesday, April 1st. StockNews.com upgraded Prudential from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, March 22nd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Prudential presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy".

Prudential Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:PUK opened at $21.84 on Friday. The stock's 50-day moving average is $20.20 and its 200-day moving average is $17.76. The company has a market cap of $28.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.41, a P/E/G ratio of 0.41 and a beta of 1.00. Prudential plc has a 52-week low of $14.39 and a 52-week high of $22.01.

Prudential Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 28th will be issued a $0.3258 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 28th. This is a positive change from Prudential's previous dividend of $0.24. Prudential's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 28.02%.

About Prudential

Prudential plc, through its subsidiaries, provides life and health insurance, and asset management solutions to individuals in Asia and Africa. The company was founded in 1848 and is headquartered in Central, Hong Kong.

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