The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG) Shares Sold by First Financial Bank Trust Division

First Financial Bank Trust Division lessened its stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG - Free Report) by 9.2% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 77,785 shares of the insurance provider's stock after selling 7,875 shares during the period. The Hartford Financial Services Group comprises about 0.9% of First Financial Bank Trust Division's portfolio, making the stock its 25th biggest position. First Financial Bank Trust Division's holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group were worth $9,624,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of HIG. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 1.1% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 7,251,389 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $792,796,000 after purchasing an additional 81,495 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its position in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 4.5% during the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 4,701,675 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $514,363,000 after acquiring an additional 202,487 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its position in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 6.5% in the fourth quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 3,830,462 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $419,053,000 after purchasing an additional 234,320 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $416,340,000. Finally, Northern Trust Corp boosted its stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 17.2% during the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 3,537,665 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $387,021,000 after purchasing an additional 519,717 shares during the period. 93.42% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on HIG shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $125.00 to $129.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $118.00 to $117.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $115.00 to $130.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Monday, May 19th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 20th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $126.00 to $125.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 10th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, The Hartford Financial Services Group has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $129.71.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Stock Down 0.1%

Shares of NYSE HIG traded down $0.17 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $129.16. 330,816 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,577,884. The company has a market cap of $36.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.48, a P/E/G ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 0.70. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $122.81 and its 200-day simple moving average is $117.35. The company has a quick ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a one year low of $98.16 and a one year high of $132.09.

The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE:HIG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 24th. The insurance provider reported $2.20 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.15 by $0.05. The Hartford Financial Services Group had a return on equity of 19.55% and a net margin of 11.72%. The firm had revenue of $6.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.97 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.34 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 6.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. will post 11.11 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 2nd will be issued a $0.52 dividend. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.61%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 2nd. The Hartford Financial Services Group's payout ratio is currently 20.74%.

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Allison G. Niderno sold 1,086 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $119.42, for a total transaction of $129,690.12. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 622 shares of the company's stock, valued at $74,279.24. The trade was a 63.58% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Christopher Swift sold 98,061 shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.39, for a total value of $11,805,563.79. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 211,082 shares in the company, valued at approximately $25,412,161.98. The trade was a 31.72% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 113,429 shares of company stock worth $13,618,028 over the last three months. 1.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Company Profile

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance and financial services to individual and business customers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. Its Commercial Lines segment offers insurance coverages, including workers' compensation, property, automobile, general and professional liability, package business, umbrella, fidelity and surety, marine, livestock, accident, health, and reinsurance through regional offices, branches, sales and policyholder service centers, independent retail agents and brokers, wholesale agents, and reinsurance brokers.