Triasima Portfolio Management inc. Sells 60,665 Shares of Unum Group (NYSE:UNM)

Triasima Portfolio Management inc. lessened its position in Unum Group (NYSE:UNM - Free Report) by 88.9% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 7,600 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 60,665 shares during the period. Triasima Portfolio Management inc.'s holdings in Unum Group were worth $344,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of UNM. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Unum Group by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 61,304 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,932,000 after buying an additional 2,370 shares during the period. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Unum Group by 33.2% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 15,247 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $480,000 after buying an additional 3,799 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors L.P. bought a new stake in shares of Unum Group during the 1st quarter worth about $348,000. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its holdings in shares of Unum Group by 61.5% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 76,618 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $2,422,000 after buying an additional 29,166 shares during the period. Finally, D.A. Davidson & CO. bought a new stake in shares of Unum Group during the 1st quarter worth about $227,000. Institutional investors own 86.57% of the company's stock.

Unum Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UNM traded up $0.05 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $50.30. The stock had a trading volume of 1,465,388 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,247,720. The company's 50-day moving average price is $50.72 and its 200-day moving average price is $47.53. The company has a market capitalization of $9.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 0.87. The company has a quick ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 0.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. Unum Group has a fifty-two week low of $39.40 and a fifty-two week high of $54.57.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The financial services provider reported $1.79 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.86 by ($0.07). The firm had revenue of $3.15 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.14 billion. Unum Group had a net margin of 10.36% and a return on equity of 16.03%. Unum Group's quarterly revenue was up 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.43 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Unum Group will post 8.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Unum Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 26th will be given a $0.365 dividend. This represents a $1.46 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.90%. Unum Group's payout ratio is presently 22.50%.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Richard P. Mckenney sold 50,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.15, for a total transaction of $2,457,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,076,753 shares in the company, valued at approximately $52,922,409.95. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Elizabeth Claire Ahmed sold 5,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.00, for a total transaction of $250,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 55,450 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,772,500. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Richard P. Mckenney sold 50,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.15, for a total transaction of $2,457,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 1,076,753 shares of the company's stock, valued at $52,922,409.95. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 81,000 shares of company stock worth $4,018,100. 0.94% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Unum Group from $64.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on shares of Unum Group from $47.00 to $52.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Unum Group from $56.00 to $58.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Unum Group from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $56.50.

Unum Group 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.