Short Interest in Horace Mann Educators Corporation (NYSE:HMN) Expands By 48.7%

Horace Mann Educators Corporation (NYSE:HMN) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 590,160 shares, a growth of 48.7% from the December 31st total of 396,824 shares. Currently, 1.5% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 220,465 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.7 days. Based on an average daily volume of 220,465 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.7 days. Currently, 1.5% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Insider Activity at Horace Mann Educators

In related news, Director Beverley J. Mcclure sold 1,082 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $45.40, for a total value of $49,122.80. Following the transaction, the director owned 16,733 shares in the company, valued at approximately $759,678.20. This represents a 6.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Henry Wade Reece sold 1,316 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.27, for a total value of $59,575.32. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 39,001 shares in the company, valued at $1,765,575.27. This represents a 3.26% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 15,398 shares of company stock valued at $697,298 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 4.00% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Horace Mann Educators

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. R Squared Ltd bought a new position in Horace Mann Educators in the 4th quarter worth about $233,000. M&T Bank Corp purchased a new position in shares of Horace Mann Educators in the fourth quarter worth approximately $203,000. Comerica Bank grew its position in shares of Horace Mann Educators by 17.6% during the 4th quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 33,497 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $1,547,000 after acquiring an additional 5,022 shares during the period. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA grew its holdings in Horace Mann Educators by 21.5% during the fourth quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA now owns 6,084 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $281,000 after purchasing an additional 1,076 shares during the period. Finally, UBS Group AG grew its stake in shares of Horace Mann Educators by 7.1% during the 4th quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 156,030 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $7,205,000 after acquiring an additional 10,353 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.28% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Horace Mann Educators in a research note on Wednesday. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Horace Mann Educators from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Sunday, December 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $46.75.

Horace Mann Educators Stock Up 1.6%

Shares of NYSE:HMN opened at $44.81 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.10 and a quick ratio of 0.10. Horace Mann Educators has a 1 year low of $37.36 and a 1 year high of $48.33. The company has a market cap of $1.82 billion, a PE ratio of 11.34 and a beta of 0.07. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $44.92 and its 200 day moving average is $44.74.

Horace Mann Educators (NYSE:HMN) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The insurance provider reported $1.36 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.97 by $0.39. Horace Mann Educators had a return on equity of 15.69% and a net margin of 9.79%.The company had revenue of $438.50 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $429.90 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.76 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Horace Mann Educators will post 3.87 EPS for the current year.

Horace Mann Educators Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th were issued a dividend of $0.35 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 15th. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.1%. Horace Mann Educators’s dividend payout ratio is 35.44%.

About Horace Mann Educators

Horace Mann Educators Corporation, based in Springfield, Illinois, specializes in insurance and retirement solutions tailored to educators and school employees across the United States. Founded in 1945, the company partners with public school districts to deliver property and casualty insurance products—including auto, home and liability coverage—through a network of dedicated local agents. Its targeted approach focuses on understanding the unique needs and schedules of teachers, administrators and other school staff, distinguishing its services within the broader insurance market.

In addition to property and casualty offerings, Horace Mann provides life and disability insurance, annuities and retirement plan products designed to help educators plan for financial security beyond their teaching careers.