The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG) Stock Position Lifted by Russell Investments Group Ltd.

Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG - Free Report) by 26.8% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 695,033 shares of the insurance provider's stock after purchasing an additional 146,868 shares during the quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. owned 0.23% of The Hartford Financial Services Group worth $55,870,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of HIG. GoalVest Advisory LLC grew its stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 464.8% in the 4th quarter. GoalVest Advisory LLC now owns 305 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 251 shares during the period. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. CVA Family Office LLC bought a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Chilton Capital Management LLC bought a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Finally, Selway Asset Management bought a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group in the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. 93.42% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Stock Performance

Shares of HIG traded up $1.77 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $97.07. The stock had a trading volume of 1,935,819 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,814,990. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 0.31 and a quick ratio of 0.31. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $67.05 and a 12 month high of $103.64. The firm has a market capitalization of $28.71 billion, a PE ratio of 11.03, a PEG ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 0.89. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $98.50 and a 200 day moving average price of $86.45.

The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE:HIG - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 25th. The insurance provider reported $2.34 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.43 by ($0.09). The Hartford Financial Services Group had a net margin of 10.87% and a return on equity of 20.64%. The company had revenue of $6.42 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.51 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.68 earnings per share. The Hartford Financial Services Group's revenue for the quarter was up 8.6% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. will post 10.11 EPS for the current year.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 4th were issued a $0.47 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 1st. This represents a $1.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.94%. The Hartford Financial Services Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 21.36%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $114.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 10th. Citigroup raised their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $109.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 16th. Roth Mkm raised their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $90.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $110.00 to $109.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Finally, TD Cowen raised their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group to $144.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 3rd. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $105.44.

Insider Transactions at The Hartford Financial Services Group

In other news, SVP Allison G. Niderno sold 1,332 shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $89.74, for a total value of $119,533.68. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 630 shares of the company's stock, valued at $56,536.20. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other The Hartford Financial Services Group news, SVP Allison G. Niderno sold 1,332 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $89.74, for a total transaction of $119,533.68. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 630 shares of the company's stock, valued at $56,536.20. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Adin M. Tooker sold 8,206 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.60, for a total value of $784,493.60. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 25,820 shares in the company, valued at $2,468,392. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 106,501 shares of company stock valued at $10,141,126. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Company Profile

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance and financial services to individual and business customers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. Its Commercial Lines segment offers insurance coverages, including workers' compensation, property, automobile, general and professional liability, package business, umbrella, fidelity and surety, marine, livestock, accident, health, and reinsurance through regional offices, branches, sales and policyholder service centers, independent retail agents and brokers, wholesale agents, and reinsurance brokers.