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

Shares of Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) have been given an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the fourteen brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $96.5833.

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $115.00 target price on shares of Unum Group in a research report on Monday. Wolfe Research upgraded Unum Group to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on Unum Group from $100.00 to $98.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Unum Group from $94.00 to $92.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Unum Group in a research note on Monday, December 29th.

Unum Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE UNM opened at $80.29 on Friday. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $76.91 and its 200 day moving average is $76.01. The stock has a market cap of $13.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.65, a P/E/G ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 0.20. Unum Group has a 1-year low of $66.81 and a 1-year high of $84.48. The company has a current ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 0.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The financial services provider reported $2.09 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.15 by ($0.06). The business had revenue of $3.25 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.31 billion. Unum Group had a net margin of 6.99% and a return on equity of 13.09%. The firm’s revenue was up 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.13 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Unum Group will post 9.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Unum Group announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback plan on Thursday, December 4th that permits the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization permits the financial services provider to buy up to 8.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are generally a sign that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling at Unum Group

In related news, EVP Steven Andrew Zabel sold 7,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.38, for a total transaction of $572,850.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 113,807 shares in the company, valued at $8,692,578.66. The trade was a 6.18% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CAO Walter Lynn Rice, Jr. sold 900 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $73.50, for a total value of $66,150.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 8,940 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $657,090. This trade represents a 9.15% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 12,400 shares of company stock worth $951,160. 0.92% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Unum Group

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in UNM. Quintet Private Bank Europe S.A. bought a new stake in Unum Group in the second quarter valued at $28,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Unum Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $30,000. Triumph Capital Management bought a new stake in shares of Unum Group during the 3rd quarter valued at about $31,000. Atwood & Palmer Inc. increased its position in shares of Unum Group by 100.0% during the second quarter. Atwood & Palmer Inc. now owns 400 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the period. Finally, Ancora Advisors LLC raised its stake in Unum Group by 385.2% in the third quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 427 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 339 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.57% of the company’s stock.

About Unum Group

Unum Group (NYSE: UNM) is a leading provider of employee benefits in the United States and selected international markets, specializing in disability, life, accident and critical illness insurance. Through both fully insured and self-funded arrangements, the company offers group coverage designed to protect income and mitigate financial hardship for employees and their families. Its portfolio includes short-term and long-term disability plans, group life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) policies, as well as critical illness and hospital indemnity products.

In addition to its core product lines, Unum Group markets voluntary benefits under its Colonial Life brand, allowing employees to purchase supplemental insurance such as accident, cancer, and dental coverage directly through payroll deductions.