Czech National Bank Has $20 Million Holdings in Aon plc $AON

Czech National Bank increased its stake in shares of Aon plc (NYSE:AON) by 3.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 56,676 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,911 shares during the period. Czech National Bank’s holdings in AON were worth $20,000,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Westside Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in AON by 100.0% during the third quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 70 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Watch Advisors INC acquired a new stake in shares of AON in the third quarter worth $25,000. Heartwood Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AON in the third quarter worth $29,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC bought a new stake in shares of AON during the 3rd quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Strive Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in AON in the 3rd quarter valued at $35,000. 86.14% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

AON Stock Up 0.5%

Shares of AON stock opened at $323.16 on Friday. Aon plc has a one year low of $304.59 and a one year high of $402.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.55, a current ratio of 2.03 and a quick ratio of 2.03. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $329.84 and a 200 day moving average price of $343.65. The stock has a market cap of $69.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 0.82.

AON (NYSE:AON) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The financial services provider reported $4.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.75 by $0.10. AON had a net margin of 21.51% and a return on equity of 45.23%. The firm had revenue of $4.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.38 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $4.42 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Aon plc will post 17.21 earnings per share for the current year.

AON Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 13th. Investors of record on Monday, February 2nd were paid a $0.745 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 2nd. This represents a $2.98 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.9%. AON’s payout ratio is presently 17.51%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Lester B. Knight acquired 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 10th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $319.24 per share, for a total transaction of $1,276,960.00. Following the purchase, the director owned 143,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $45,651,320. This trade represents a 2.88% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, General Counsel Darren Zeidel sold 5,040 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $325.79, for a total value of $1,641,981.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel directly owned 20,254 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,598,550.66. The trade was a 19.93% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Corporate insiders own 1.10% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have weighed in on AON. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of AON from $433.00 to $406.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on AON from $410.00 to $416.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Citigroup raised their target price on AON from $402.00 to $412.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $408.00 price target on shares of AON in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Finally, Bank of America raised AON from a “neutral” rating to an “outperform” rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $398.00 to $397.00 in a research report on Friday, February 27th. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $406.69.

About AON

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.