Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) Given Average Rating of “Hold” by Analysts

Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) has been assigned a consensus rating of “Hold” from the fifteen analysts that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $46.25.

Several equities analysts have commented on LNC shares. Morgan Stanley reissued an “overweight” rating on shares of Lincoln National in a research note on Monday, December 15th. TD Cowen reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Lincoln National in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Zacks Research cut Lincoln National from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, December 4th. UBS Group increased their price target on Lincoln National from $42.00 to $43.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on Lincoln National from $52.00 to $59.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, December 15th.

Insider Transactions at Lincoln National

In other news, EVP John Christopher Kennedy sold 3,519 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.15, for a total transaction of $155,363.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 118,985 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,253,187.75. This trade represents a 2.87% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Owen Ryan acquired 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $42.17 per share, for a total transaction of $84,340.00. Following the purchase, the director directly owned 12,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $506,040. The trade was a 20.00% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. 0.51% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of LNC. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its stake in Lincoln National by 30.3% in the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 203,931 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $8,180,000 after buying an additional 47,419 shares during the period. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Lincoln National by 145.5% during the 3rd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 116,116 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $4,683,000 after acquiring an additional 68,827 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC increased its stake in shares of Lincoln National by 101.9% in the third quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 285,105 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $11,498,000 after acquiring an additional 143,862 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its holdings in shares of Lincoln National by 21.1% during the third quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 5,952,166 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $240,051,000 after acquiring an additional 1,035,505 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jump Financial LLC boosted its position in Lincoln National by 72.9% during the second quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 245,776 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $8,504,000 after purchasing an additional 103,591 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 72.81% of the company’s stock.

Lincoln National Trading Up 2.8%

NYSE:LNC opened at $40.34 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $7.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.62, a PEG ratio of 0.42 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a current ratio of 0.28. Lincoln National has a 1 year low of $27.58 and a 1 year high of $46.82. The business has a fifty day moving average of $43.17 and a 200-day moving average of $41.14.

Lincoln National Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, February 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, January 12th were issued a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, January 12th. Lincoln National’s payout ratio is presently 16.16%.

About Lincoln National

Lincoln National Corporation, doing business as Lincoln Financial Group, is a diversified financial services holding company focused on providing retirement, insurance, and wealth management solutions in the United States and select international markets. Headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, the company operates through several business segments, including Retirement Plan Services, Life Insurance, and Group Protection. Its offerings are designed to help individuals, families, and institutions plan and prepare for their financial futures.

The Retirement Plan Services segment delivers recordkeeping, administrative services, and investment management for defined contribution and defined benefit plans.