Aegon NV $AEG Holdings Decreased by Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC

Key Points

• Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC has reduced its stake in Aegon NV by 13.5%, selling 108,472 shares during the first quarter.
• Aegon announced a semi-annual dividend of $0.1876 per share, which reflects a dividend yield of 584.0%.
• Berenberg Bank has upgraded Aegon to a "strong-buy" rating, contributing to an overall average rating of "Buy" from analysts.

Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC decreased its stake in shares of Aegon NV (NYSE:AEG - Free Report) by 13.5% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 695,108 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 108,472 shares during the period. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC's holdings in Aegon were worth $4,581,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in AEG. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Aegon by 526.8% in the 1st 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. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in Aegon by 27.2% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 170,827 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,126,000 after purchasing an additional 36,511 shares in the last quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Aegon by 25.8% during the 1st quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 254,433 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,677,000 after purchasing an additional 52,174 shares during the period. Two Sigma Investments LP bought a new stake in shares of Aegon in the 4th quarter worth $645,000. Finally, QRG Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Aegon by 5.7% in the first quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 93,462 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $616,000 after buying an additional 5,049 shares during the period. 4.32% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Aegon Trading Up 0.6%

NYSE AEG traded up $0.05 on Wednesday, hitting $7.66. 3,822,855 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,675,085. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 0.06 and a quick ratio of 0.06. Aegon NV has a twelve month low of $5.42 and a twelve month high of $8.10. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.26 and a beta of 0.99. The company's 50 day moving average price is $7.38 and its 200-day moving average price is $6.87.

Aegon declared that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Friday, May 16th that permits the company to repurchase 0 shares. This repurchase authorization permits the financial services provider to reacquire shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are generally a sign that the company's board believes its stock is undervalued.

Aegon Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 25th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 4th will be issued a dividend of $0.1876 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 4th. This represents a dividend yield of 584.0%. Aegon's payout ratio is currently 39.58%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Wall Street Zen raised Aegon from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Saturday, August 30th. Berenberg Bank raised shares of Aegon to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Thursday, May 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and three have issued a Buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Buy".

Aegon 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.