Unum Group $UNM Holdings Cut by FORA Capital LLC

Key Points

• FORA Capital LLC significantly decreased its stake in Unum Group by 68.5%, holding 12,817 shares worth approximately $1.04 million after selling 27,838 shares in the first quarter.
• The company recently announced a quarterly dividend increase from $0.42 to $0.46, resulting in an annualized yield of 2.6% and a payout ratio of 22.01%.
• Analysts are generally optimistic about Unum Group, with an average target price of $91.15 and a "Moderate Buy" rating, although some have cut their price targets recently.

FORA Capital LLC decreased its stake in Unum Group (NYSE:UNM - Free Report) by 68.5% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 12,817 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 27,838 shares during the quarter. FORA Capital LLC's holdings in Unum Group were worth $1,044,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in Unum Group in the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its position in Unum Group by 196.9% in the 1st quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 478 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 317 shares in the last quarter. Rossby Financial LCC purchased a new stake in Unum Group in the 1st quarter worth approximately $46,000. Wayfinding Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Unum Group in the 1st quarter worth approximately $49,000. Finally, Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. lifted its position in Unum Group by 1,289.7% in the 1st quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. now owns 806 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $66,000 after buying an additional 748 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.57% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Unum Group from $87.00 to $96.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 8th. Barclays set a $96.00 price target on shares of Unum Group and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, July 7th. Piper Sandler raised their price target on shares of Unum Group from $88.00 to $92.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, July 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of Unum Group from $105.00 to $100.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods restated an "outperform" rating and set a $95.00 price target (down previously from $100.00) on shares of Unum Group in a report on Thursday, July 31st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Unum Group currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $91.15.

Unum Group Stock Performance

Shares of UNM opened at $69.64 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $11.86 billion, a PE ratio of 8.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 0.40. Unum Group has a one year low of $52.71 and a one year high of $84.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 0.30 and a quick ratio of 0.30. The company's fifty day moving average price is $75.95 and its 200 day moving average price is $77.71.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 29th. The financial services provider reported $2.07 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.23 by ($0.16). The firm had revenue of $3.36 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.35 billion. Unum Group had a return on equity of 13.44% and a net margin of 11.77%.The business's revenue was up 4.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.16 EPS. Unum Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.500-8.50 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Unum Group will post 9.14 earnings per share for the current year.

Unum Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 15th. Investors of record on Friday, July 25th were issued a $0.46 dividend. This is a boost from Unum Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 25th. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.6%. Unum Group's payout ratio is 22.01%.

Unum Group Company Profile

Unum Group, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial protection benefit solutions primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, and internationally. It operates through Unum US, Unum International, Colonial Life, and Closed Block segment. The company offers group long-term and short-term disability, group life, and accidental death and dismemberment products; supplemental and voluntary products, such as individual disability, voluntary benefits, and dental and vision products; and accident, sickness, disability, life, and cancer and critical illness products.

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