Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH Buys 19,696 Shares of The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. $THG

Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH raised its stake in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE:THG - Free Report) by 646.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 22,744 shares of the insurance provider's stock after purchasing an additional 19,696 shares during the period. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH owned 0.06% of The Hanover Insurance Group worth $4,157,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. JPL Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group during the 3rd quarter valued at about $26,000. Community Bank N.A. bought a new position in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group during the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. Clearstead Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group by 300.0% in the 3rd quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 200 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 150 shares during the last quarter. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $43,000. Finally, Quent Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $69,000. Institutional investors own 86.61% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

THG has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Wall Street Zen downgraded The Hanover Insurance Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, February 28th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price objective on The Hanover Insurance Group from $207.00 to $208.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price objective on The Hanover Insurance Group from $200.00 to $190.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 7th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on The Hanover Insurance Group from $194.00 to $190.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 6th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a "buy (b)" rating on shares of The Hanover Insurance Group in a research report on Monday, April 20th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $197.00.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Jane D. Carlin sold 1,200 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $180.91, for a total transaction of $217,092.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 2,423 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $438,344.93. This trade represents a 33.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Richard W. Lavey sold 24,420 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $178.92, for a total transaction of $4,369,226.40. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 32,174 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,756,572.08. This trade represents a 43.15% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 2.80% of the company's stock.

The Hanover Insurance Group Stock Down 1.6%

Shares of NYSE THG opened at $177.89 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a current ratio of 0.44 and a quick ratio of 0.44. The company has a market cap of $6.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.79 and a beta of 0.29. The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $160.70 and a 1 year high of $188.18. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $176.07 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $176.90.

The Hanover Insurance Group (NYSE:THG - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 29th. The insurance provider reported $5.25 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.22 by $1.03. The business had revenue of $1.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.58 billion. The Hanover Insurance Group had a net margin of 10.05% and a return on equity of 21.00%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 6.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $3.87 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. will post 16.92 earnings per share for the current year.

The Hanover Insurance Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 13th were given a dividend of $0.95 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 13th. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The Hanover Insurance Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 20.91%.

About The Hanover Insurance Group

The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc NYSE: THG is a property and casualty insurance company that provides a range of commercial and personal insurance products. Through its subsidiary companies, Hanover offers coverage for businesses of all sizes, including workers' compensation, general liability, commercial auto, and professional liability. On the personal lines side, the company underwrites homeowners, personal auto, flood, and umbrella policies designed to meet the needs of individuals and families.

In addition to its core commercial and personal insurance offerings, Hanover maintains a specialty arm that focuses on niche markets through tailored product solutions.

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