Legal & General Group Plc Makes New Investment in Unum Group $UNM

Key Points

• Legal & General Group Plc acquired 220,109 shares of Unum Group in the second quarter, worth approximately $19.7 million and representing about 0.14% of the company. Institutional investors collectively own 86.57% of Unum’s stock.
• Unum reported quarterly revenue of $3.39 billion and adjusted earnings of $2.16 per share, while projecting fiscal 2026 earnings of $8.60–$8.90 per share. The board also authorized a $1 billion share-repurchase program covering up to 7% of outstanding shares.
• Unum raised its quarterly dividend to $0.505 per share, or $2.02 annually, producing a 2.2% yield. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating with an average price target of $99.42, versus a recent share price of $93.16.

Legal & General Group Plc bought a new position in Unum Group (NYSE:UNM - Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 220,109 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $19,678,000. Legal & General Group Plc owned about 0.14% of Unum Group at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of UNM. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Unum Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. SHP Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of Unum Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. MBM Wealth Consultants LLC purchased a new position in shares of Unum Group during the first quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Triumph Capital Management bought a new position in shares of Unum Group during the third quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Ancora Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Unum Group by 385.2% during the third quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 427 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 339 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.57% of the company's stock.

Unum Group Stock Up 0.8%

NYSE:UNM opened at $93.16 on Friday. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $89.40 and its 200-day moving average price is $82.23. The company has a market capitalization of $14.75 billion, a PE ratio of 21.72, a P/E/G ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 0.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 0.34 and a quick ratio of 0.34. Unum Group has a 1-year low of $68.70 and a 1-year high of $94.55.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 28th. The financial services provider reported $2.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts' consensus estimates of $2.16. Unum Group had a net margin of 5.26% and a return on equity of 12.60%. The company had revenue of $3.39 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.90 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.92 EPS. Unum Group's revenue was up .3% on a year-over-year basis. Unum Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.600-8.900 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Unum Group will post 8.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Unum Group announced that its board has authorized a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, August 26th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the financial services provider to reacquire up to 7% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often a sign that the company's leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Unum Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 24th were issued a dividend of $0.505 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 24th. This is a positive change from Unum Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. This represents a $2.02 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.2%. Unum Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 47.09%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Unum Group from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, July 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of Unum Group from $101.00 to $98.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Unum Group from $87.00 to $92.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Monday, August 24th. UBS Group set a $94.00 price target on shares of Unum Group in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price objective on shares of Unum Group from $110.00 to $108.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $99.42.

Unum Group Profile

Unum Group NYSE: UNM is a leading provider of employee benefits in the United States and selected international markets, specializing in disability, life, accident and critical illness insurance. Through both fully insured and self-funded arrangements, the company offers group coverage designed to protect income and mitigate financial hardship for employees and their families. Its portfolio includes short-term and long-term disability plans, group life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) policies, as well as critical illness and hospital indemnity products.

In addition to its core product lines, Unum Group markets voluntary benefits under its Colonial Life brand, allowing employees to purchase supplemental insurance such as accident, cancer, and dental coverage directly through payroll deductions.

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