Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) Given Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) has been given a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the thirteen brokerages that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, eight have assigned a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $91.6154.

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on UNM. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Unum Group from $83.00 to $85.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, July 14th. Barclays set a $96.00 target price on Unum Group and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, July 7th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Unum Group from $105.00 to $100.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $95.00 target price (down previously from $100.00) on shares of Unum Group in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Unum Group from $87.00 to $96.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 8th.

Unum Group Stock Performance

Unum Group stock opened at $70.33 on Wednesday. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $78.09 and its 200-day moving average is $78.25. The company has a market cap of $11.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 0.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 0.30 and a quick ratio of 0.30. Unum Group has a 12 month low of $52.71 and a 12 month high of $84.48.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 29th. The financial services provider reported $2.07 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.23 by ($0.16). The firm had revenue of $3.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.35 billion. Unum Group had a return on equity of 13.44% and a net margin of 11.77%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.16 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Unum Group will post 9.14 earnings per share for the current year.

Unum Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 25th will be given a $0.46 dividend. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 25th. This is a positive change from Unum Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. Unum Group’s payout ratio is 22.01%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Quintet Private Bank Europe S.A. bought a new stake in shares of Unum Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Unum Group in the 1st quarter worth approximately $30,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new stake in shares of Unum Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Atwood & Palmer Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Unum Group by 100.0% in the 2nd quarter. Atwood & Palmer Inc. now owns 400 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Finally, N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Unum Group in the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.57% of the company’s stock.

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.