Prudential plc (NYSE:PUK) Shares Acquired by Millennium Management LLC

Millennium Management LLC increased its position in Prudential plc (NYSE:PUK - Free Report) by 15.5% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 356,748 shares of the financial services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 47,994 shares during the quarter. Millennium Management LLC's holdings in Prudential were worth $5,687,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Prudential by 417.0% in the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,856 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 1,497 shares during the period. Whipplewood Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Prudential in the fourth quarter valued at $30,000. Advisors Preferred LLC purchased a new position in shares of Prudential in the fourth quarter valued at $31,000. National Bank of Canada FI boosted its stake in Prudential by 52.6% during the 4th quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 3,042 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $48,000 after acquiring an additional 1,049 shares during the last quarter. Finally, DRW Securities LLC bought a new position in Prudential during the 4th quarter valued at $169,000. 1.90% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Prudential Stock Performance

Shares of Prudential stock traded down $0.03 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $22.85. The company's stock had a trading volume of 695,560 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,032,708. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $21.41 and its 200 day simple moving average is $18.60. Prudential plc has a one year low of $14.39 and a one year high of $23.35. The stock has a market cap of $29.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.41 and a beta of 0.98.

Prudential Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 28th were given a $0.3258 dividend. This is an increase from Prudential's previous dividend of $0.24. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 28th. Prudential's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 28.02%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have commented on PUK. Morgan Stanley reiterated an "overweight" rating on shares of Prudential in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Prudential from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday. Citigroup reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Prudential in a research note on Tuesday, April 1st. Finally, Barclays reiterated an "overweight" rating on shares of Prudential in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy".

Prudential Company Profile

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.