Ashton Thomas Securities LLC Makes New $1.96 Million Investment in Aon plc $AON

Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Aon plc (NYSE:AON) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 5,497 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $1,962,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AON. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in AON by 0.9% during the second quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,105 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,108,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares during the last quarter. Matrix Trust Co grew its stake in AON by 7.1% in the 3rd quarter. Matrix Trust Co now owns 422 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $150,000 after buying an additional 28 shares during the last quarter. Sunflower Bank N.A. raised its holdings in AON by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. Sunflower Bank N.A. now owns 1,675 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $598,000 after acquiring an additional 30 shares during the period. Focus Financial Network Inc. lifted its position in AON by 5.7% during the 2nd quarter. Focus Financial Network Inc. now owns 577 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $206,000 after acquiring an additional 31 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. boosted its holdings in AON by 56.9% during the second quarter. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. now owns 91 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 33 shares during the period. 86.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AON Trading Down 1.8%

Shares of AON stock opened at $344.33 on Wednesday. Aon plc has a 52-week low of $323.73 and a 52-week high of $412.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $74.01 billion, a PE ratio of 27.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.78 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.86, a current ratio of 1.35 and a quick ratio of 1.35. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $349.66 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $355.15.

AON (NYSE:AON) last issued its earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The financial services provider reported $3.05 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.91 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $4 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.97 billion. AON had a net margin of 15.96% and a return on equity of 48.88%. The firm’s revenue was up 7.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.72 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Aon plc will post 17.21 EPS for the current year.

AON Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 13th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 2nd will be paid a $0.745 dividend. This represents a $2.98 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 2nd. AON’s dividend payout ratio is currently 23.88%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AON has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Barclays lifted their price objective on AON from $379.00 to $381.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Mizuho started coverage on AON in a report on Monday, December 15th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $389.00 price target for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on AON from $433.00 to $406.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of AON from $449.00 to $448.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Roth Capital restated a “buy” rating and issued a $390.00 price target on shares of AON in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $411.35.

AON Company Profile

Aon plc is a global professional services firm that provides a broad suite of risk, retirement and health solutions to corporations, institutions and individuals. The company operates primarily as an insurance broker and risk adviser, helping clients identify, quantify and transfer risk across property, casualty, cyber and other areas. Aon also offers reinsurance brokerage and capital market solutions that connect insurers, reinsurers and corporate buyers.

In addition to traditional brokerage activities, Aon delivers consulting and outsourcing services in areas such as human capital, benefits, and retirement plan design and administration.