Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA Has $357.72 Million Holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG)

Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA cut its stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG - Free Report) by 1.1% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,450,380 shares of the insurance provider's stock after selling 47,799 shares during the quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA owned about 1.48% of The Hartford Financial Services Group worth $357,722,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in HIG. McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. lifted its position in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 11.7% during the 4th quarter. McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. now owns 3,165 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $254,000 after acquiring an additional 331 shares during the period. MEAG MUNICH ERGO Kapitalanlagegesellschaft mbH acquired a new stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group during the 4th quarter worth about $2,875,000. New Millennium Group LLC acquired a new stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group during the 4th quarter worth about $1,552,000. SteelPeak Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group during the 4th quarter worth about $1,691,000. Finally, Cerity Partners LLC lifted its position in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 19.8% during the 4th quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 49,614 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $4,003,000 after acquiring an additional 8,203 shares during the period. 93.42% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at The Hartford Financial Services Group

In related news, EVP Robert W. Paiano sold 14,528 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.97, for a total value of $1,365,196.16. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 46,792 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,397,044.24. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Jonathan R. Bennett sold 18,335 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.78, for a total value of $1,847,801.30. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 25,643 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,584,301.54. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Robert W. Paiano sold 14,528 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.97, for a total value of $1,365,196.16. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 46,792 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,397,044.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 180,580 shares of company stock valued at $17,711,492 over the last quarter. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Price Performance

Shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group stock traded up $0.79 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $101.33. 1,180,566 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,762,069. The business has a 50-day moving average of $99.41 and a 200 day moving average of $88.58. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $67.42 and a fifty-two week high of $103.64. The stock has a market capitalization of $29.97 billion, a PE ratio of 11.51, a PEG ratio of 1.45 and a beta of 0.90. The company has a quick ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 0.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29.

The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE:HIG - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 25th. The insurance provider reported $2.34 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates 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 firm had revenue of $6.42 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.51 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.68 EPS. The Hartford Financial Services Group's revenue was up 8.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. will post 10.01 EPS for the current year.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 4th were issued a dividend of $0.47 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 1st. This represents a $1.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.86%. The Hartford Financial Services Group's payout ratio is currently 21.36%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $77.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a report on Monday, February 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $92.00 to $105.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, April 12th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price objective on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $114.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 10th. Raymond James reissued an "outperform" rating and issued a $120.00 price objective (up previously from $100.00) on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in a report on Monday, April 1st. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price objective on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $100.00 to $107.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, February 5th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $105.63.

The Hartford Financial Services Group 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.