Massar Capital Management LP Invests $3.78 Million in Unum Group (NYSE:UNM)

Massar Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in Unum Group (NYSE:UNM - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 51,691 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $3,775,000. Unum Group comprises approximately 4.3% of Massar Capital Management LP's investment portfolio, making the stock its 6th largest position.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Barrett & Company Inc. lifted its position in Unum Group by 300.0% during the fourth quarter. Barrett & Company Inc. now owns 396 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 297 shares during the period. Kestra Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Unum Group in the fourth quarter worth about $38,000. Millstone Evans Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Unum Group in the fourth quarter worth about $45,000. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its stake in shares of Unum Group by 26.4% in the fourth quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 766 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $56,000 after buying an additional 160 shares during the period. Finally, Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. increased its stake in shares of Unum Group by 28.8% in the fourth quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 800 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $58,000 after buying an additional 179 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 86.57% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Lisa G. Iglesias sold 7,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $82.75, for a total transaction of $579,250.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 31,284 shares in the company, valued at $2,588,751. The trade was a 18.28 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Richard P. Mckenney sold 50,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $81.99, for a total value of $4,099,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 980,637 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $80,402,427.63. The trade was a 4.85 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.93% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Unum Group Stock Performance

Shares of Unum Group stock traded down $0.77 on Friday, reaching $78.57. 1,111,930 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,308,458. Unum Group has a 52 week low of $48.38 and a 52 week high of $84.48. The company has a 50 day moving average of $78.06 and a 200 day moving average of $74.12. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.85 billion, a PE ratio of 8.30, a PEG ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.29 and a quick ratio of 0.28.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. The financial services provider reported $2.03 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.14 by ($0.11). Unum Group had a return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 13.81%. Equities analysts forecast that Unum Group will post 9.14 earnings per share for the current year.

Unum Group declared that its board has approved a stock buyback program on Tuesday, February 18th that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the financial services provider to purchase up to 7.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically an indication that the company's leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Unum Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 16th. Investors of record on Friday, April 25th will be issued a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.14%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 25th. Unum Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 17.74%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently issued reports on UNM. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on Unum Group from $80.00 to $84.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on shares of Unum Group from $87.00 to $92.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their target price on shares of Unum Group from $103.00 to $102.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on shares of Unum Group from $95.00 to $102.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, March 3rd. Finally, UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Unum Group from $75.00 to $91.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $88.36.

About Unum Group

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.