Short Interest in Aon plc (NYSE:AON) Rises By 5.9%

Aon plc (NYSE:AON - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,960,000 shares, a growth of 5.9% from the March 31st total of 1,850,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 947,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.1 days. Approximately 1.0% of the company's shares are sold short.

AON Trading Down 1.3 %

NYSE AON traded down $3.77 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $280.04. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,300,600 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,115,105. AON has a 52 week low of $268.06 and a 52 week high of $347.37. The company has a market capitalization of $60.89 billion, a PE ratio of 21.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.78 and a beta of 0.90. The company's 50-day simple moving average is $314.57 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $312.92.

AON (NYSE:AON - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 26th. The financial services provider reported $5.66 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $5.86 by ($0.20). The firm had revenue of $4.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.14 billion. AON had a net margin of 19.04% and a negative return on equity of 1,083.00%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $5.17 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that AON will post 15.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AON Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 1st will be paid a $0.675 dividend. This is a positive change from AON's previous quarterly dividend of $0.62. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 30th. This represents a $2.70 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.96%. AON's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 21.16%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have weighed in on AON. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on AON from $300.00 to $289.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday. Bank of America decreased their price target on AON from $378.00 to $345.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Monday. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on shares of AON from $325.00 to $315.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price objective on shares of AON from $294.00 to $312.00 and gave the stock an "underperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 10th. Finally, UBS Group cut their price objective on shares of AON from $333.00 to $308.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, AON presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $329.69.

Insider Activity at AON

In related news, Director Lester B. Knight acquired 50,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $301.97 per share, for a total transaction of $15,098,500.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 134,000 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $40,463,980. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other AON news, insider Michael Neller sold 750 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $312.00, for a total transaction of $234,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 3,869 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,207,128. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Lester B. Knight purchased 50,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 7th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $301.97 per share, with a total value of $15,098,500.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 134,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $40,463,980. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders sold 74,532 shares of company stock worth $23,335,805 over the last three months. Company insiders own 1.15% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AON

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BKM Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in AON in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Milestone Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AON during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AON during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Rise Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AON during the 1st quarter worth approximately $37,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AON during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $39,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.14% of the company's stock.

AON Company Profile

Aon plc, a professional services firm, provides a range of risk and human capital solutions worldwide. It offers commercial risk solutions, including retail brokerage, specialty solutions, global risk consulting and captives management, and affinity programs; and health solutions, such as health and benefits brokerages, and health care exchanges.