First Financial Bank Trust Division Trims Holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG)

First Financial Bank Trust Division reduced its holdings in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG) by 1.8% in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 85,660 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after selling 1,600 shares during the period. First Financial Bank Trust Division’s holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group were worth $9,371,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. DT Investment Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group during the third quarter valued at $26,000. Clean Yield Group bought a new stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group during the 3rd quarter valued at about $33,000. Quest Partners LLC raised its holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 2,750.0% in the second quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 285 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 275 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas bought a new position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in the third quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group during the third quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Institutional investors own 93.42% of the company’s stock.

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 company’s stock in a transaction that occurred 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 $3,021,972.80. This represents a 21.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.60% of the company’s stock.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Price Performance

Shares of HIG traded down $0.36 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $109.04. The stock had a trading volume of 1,315,878 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,497,931. The business has a fifty day moving average of $115.04 and a 200 day moving average of $112.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a current ratio of 0.32. The firm has a market cap of $31.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.93, a PEG ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 0.95. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $81.04 and a 12 month high of $124.90.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, December 2nd will be issued a $0.52 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 2nd. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.91%. This is an increase from The Hartford Financial Services Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. The Hartford Financial Services Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 20.84%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays initiated coverage on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $130.00 price objective for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $122.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $100.00 to $141.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 27th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $122.00 to $134.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 17th. Finally, StockNews.com raised The Hartford Financial Services Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 15th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, The Hartford Financial Services Group currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $122.00.

About The Hartford Financial Services Group

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.