Ames National Corp Takes Position in The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV)

Ames National Corp purchased a new stake in The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 6,537 shares of the insurance provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,575,000. Travelers Companies accounts for approximately 1.0% of Ames National Corp's portfolio, making the stock its 25th biggest position.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. YANKCOM Partnership acquired a new position in Travelers Companies during the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda acquired a new position in Travelers Companies during the fourth quarter worth about $30,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC acquired a new stake in Travelers Companies in the 4th quarter valued at about $37,000. Asset Planning Inc acquired a new stake in Travelers Companies in the 4th quarter valued at about $44,000. Finally, Quarry LP lifted its stake in Travelers Companies by 400.0% in the 4th quarter. Quarry LP now owns 190 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 152 shares in the last quarter. 82.45% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Travelers Companies Trading Up 0.1%

NYSE:TRV traded up $0.20 on Monday, reaching $271.28. 832,652 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,293,613. The firm has a market capitalization of $61.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.65 and a beta of 0.53. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a 52-week low of $200.21 and a 52-week high of $275.03. The company has a quick ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The business has a fifty day moving average of $259.99 and a 200-day moving average of $253.00.

Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 16th. The insurance provider reported $1.91 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.53 by $1.38. The company had revenue of $10.52 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $10.97 billion. Travelers Companies had a net margin of 10.77% and a return on equity of 19.06%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $4.69 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.02 earnings per share for the current year.

Travelers Companies Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 10th will be given a dividend of $1.10 per share. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.62%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 10th. This is an increase from Travelers Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $1.05. Travelers Companies's payout ratio is currently 23.95%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently commented on TRV shares. Wall Street Zen raised Travelers Companies from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. Morgan Stanley set a $269.00 target price on Travelers Companies and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Monday, May 19th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price target on shares of Travelers Companies from $274.00 to $290.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, April 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Travelers Companies from $260.00 to $271.00 and gave the company an "underweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $247.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $270.42.

About Travelers Companies

The Travelers Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance.