XTX Topco Ltd Makes New Investment in Unum Group (NYSE:UNM)

XTX Topco Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Unum Group (NYSE:UNM - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 5,669 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $414,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its position in shares of Unum Group by 50.0% during the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 469,342 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $29,554,000 after buying an additional 156,380 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. increased its stake in Unum Group by 44.1% in the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 16,495 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,205,000 after purchasing an additional 5,047 shares in the last quarter. Picton Mahoney Asset Management acquired a new stake in Unum Group in the fourth quarter worth $8,816,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Unum Group by 0.9% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,552,252 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $405,481,000 after buying an additional 51,744 shares during the period. Finally, Oak Thistle LLC increased its position in shares of Unum Group by 362.9% in the 4th quarter. Oak Thistle LLC now owns 19,461 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,421,000 after buying an additional 15,257 shares in the last quarter. 86.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Unum Group news, CEO Richard P. Mckenney sold 50,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $81.99, for a total value of $4,099,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 980,637 shares in the company, valued at $80,402,427.63. The trade was a 4.85 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Lisa G. Iglesias sold 7,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $82.75, for a total transaction of $579,250.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 31,284 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,588,751. This represents a 18.28 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.93% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have weighed in on UNM shares. StockNews.com lowered Unum Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, March 7th. Piper Sandler boosted their price objective on Unum Group from $87.00 to $92.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on Unum Group from $95.00 to $102.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of Unum Group from $97.00 to $95.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 10th. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Unum Group from $85.00 to $89.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, April 11th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $88.36.

Unum Group Stock Down 1.0 %

UNM stock traded down $0.77 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $78.57. The company had a trading volume of 1,111,930 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,308,458. The company has a market capitalization of $13.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.30, a PEG ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 0.46. Unum Group has a 52 week low of $48.38 and a 52 week high of $84.48. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $78.06 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $74.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.29 and a quick ratio of 0.28.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The financial services provider reported $2.03 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $2.14 by ($0.11). Unum Group had a return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 13.81%. As a group, equities analysts predict that Unum Group will post 9.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Unum Group announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback program on Tuesday, February 18th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the financial services provider to repurchase up to 7.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are usually a sign that the company's leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Unum Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 16th. Investors of record on Friday, April 25th will be issued a dividend of $0.42 per share. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.14%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 25th. Unum Group's payout ratio is currently 17.74%.

About Unum Group

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.