The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG) Position Increased by Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc.

Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG) by 100.0% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 9,046 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 4,524 shares during the period. Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc.’s holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group were worth $989,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Haven Private LLC purchased a new stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group during the fourth quarter worth $750,000. Andra AP fonden raised its holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 36.2% during the fourth quarter. Andra AP fonden now owns 192,400 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $21,049,000 after buying an additional 51,100 shares in the last quarter. Callan Family Office LLC bought a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group during the fourth quarter valued at about $447,000. Inceptionr LLC raised its holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 180.2% during the fourth quarter. Inceptionr LLC now owns 9,483 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $1,037,000 after buying an additional 6,099 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group during the fourth quarter valued at about $65,256,000. 93.42% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Stock Up 1.1 %

HIG stock opened at $117.92 on Friday. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $94.47 and a twelve month high of $124.90. The company has a market cap of $33.65 billion, a PE ratio of 11.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 0.91. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $112.46 and its 200 day simple moving average is $114.74. 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 Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE:HIG) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The insurance provider reported $2.94 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.68 by $0.26. The Hartford Financial Services Group had a return on equity of 19.55% and a net margin of 11.72%. On average, research analysts anticipate that The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. will post 11.11 earnings per share for the current year.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.52 per share. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.76%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 3rd. The Hartford Financial Services Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 20.10%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have weighed in on HIG shares. Barclays upgraded The Hartford Financial Services Group from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and raised their target price for the company from $130.00 to $135.00 in a report on Monday, January 6th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $139.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 5th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $130.00 to $126.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada restated a “sector perform” rating and set a $125.00 target price on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $100.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 27th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $122.94.

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.