The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE:HIG) Rating Increased to Buy at StockNews.com

The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE:HIG - Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities research analysts at StockNews.com from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report released on Tuesday.

A number of other equities analysts have also weighed in on HIG. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price target on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $140.00 to $133.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. UBS Group lifted their target price on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $139.00 to $142.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, April 28th. Barclays boosted their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Raymond James raised their price objective on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $125.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, March 31st. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $115.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, The Hartford Financial Services Group has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $129.71.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Price Performance

HIG stock opened at $131.66 on Tuesday. The Hartford Financial Services Group has a 52-week low of $98.16 and a 52-week high of $132.09. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $120.97 and its 200-day simple moving average is $116.47. The company has a quick ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The stock has a market capitalization of $37.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 0.70.

The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE:HIG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The insurance provider reported $2.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.15 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $6.81 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.97 billion. The Hartford Financial Services Group had a return on equity of 19.55% and a net margin of 11.72%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 6.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.34 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that The Hartford Financial Services Group will post 11.11 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Robert W. Paiano sold 13,138 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.20, for a total value of $1,539,773.60. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 31,678 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,712,661.60. This represents a 29.32% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Allison G. Niderno sold 1,086 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $119.42, for a total transaction of $129,690.12. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 622 shares in the company, valued at $74,279.24. The trade was a 63.58% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 113,429 shares of company stock worth $13,618,028. 1.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Barrett & Company Inc. boosted its holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 46.5% in the fourth quarter. Barrett & Company Inc. now owns 293 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares during the period. Park Square Financial Group LLC lifted its position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 146.2% in the 1st quarter. Park Square Financial Group LLC now owns 261 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 155 shares during the last quarter. Spurstone Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Center for Financial Planning Inc. acquired a new stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group during the first quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. bought a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group in the fourth quarter worth about $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.42% of the company's stock.

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.

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