The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG) Shares Sold by Avestar Capital LLC

Avestar Capital LLC trimmed its holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG) by 11.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,792 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after selling 221 shares during the quarter. Avestar Capital LLC’s holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group were worth $211,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. DT Investment Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Quest Partners LLC increased its stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 2,750.0% in the 2nd quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 285 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 275 shares during the period. Bank & Trust Co acquired a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. Family Firm Inc. acquired a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Clean Yield Group acquired a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group in the 3rd quarter valued at $33,000. 93.42% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Price Performance

The Hartford Financial Services Group stock opened at $123.74 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 0.32 and a quick ratio of 0.32. The stock has a market capitalization of $35.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.40, a P/E/G ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 0.94. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $117.32 and its two-hundred day moving average is $109.94. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $76.65 and a 12-month high of $124.90.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 3rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 2nd will be issued a $0.52 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 2nd. This is an increase from The Hartford Financial Services Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.68%. The Hartford Financial Services Group’s payout ratio is 20.84%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

HIG has been the topic of several recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $122.00 to $134.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $122.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Barclays assumed coverage on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $130.00 price objective on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $113.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 15th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $122.00.

Insider Buying and Selling at The Hartford Financial Services Group

In other The Hartford Financial Services Group news, EVP Adin M. Tooker sold 6,865 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.04, for a total value of $803,479.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 25,820 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,021,972.80. The trade was a 21.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.