Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) have been given an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the thirteen ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and nine have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $80.33.

Several analysts recently commented on UNM shares. BMO Capital Markets started coverage on Unum Group in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $91.00 target price on the stock. Piper Sandler upped their target price on Unum Group from $82.00 to $87.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Truist Financial upped their target price on Unum Group from $70.00 to $75.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Unum Group from $91.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, Barclays increased their price target on Unum Group from $76.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, January 6th.

Unum Group Stock Performance

Unum Group stock opened at $73.98 on Wednesday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $74.19 and a 200-day moving average of $66.35. Unum Group has a 1 year low of $48.38 and a 1 year high of $79.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.29 and a quick ratio of 0.28. The company has a market capitalization of $13.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.81, a P/E/G ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 0.80.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The financial services provider reported $2.03 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.14 by ($0.11). Unum Group had a net margin of 13.81% and a return on equity of 14.91%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Unum Group will post 9.12 earnings per share for the current year.

Unum Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 14th. Investors of record on Friday, January 24th were issued a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.27%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 24th. Unum Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 17.74%.

Unum Group declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase program on Tuesday, February 18th that permits the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the financial services provider to purchase up to 7.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are generally an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Activity at Unum Group

In related news, CEO Richard P. Mckenney sold 58,865 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.39, for a total value of $4,437,832.35. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,007,003 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $75,917,956.17. This represents a 5.52 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Timothy Gerald Arnold sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.92, for a total value of $769,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 54,827 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,217,292.84. The trade was a 15.43 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 78,865 shares of company stock valued at $5,952,032. 0.93% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Unum Group

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Barrett & Company Inc. increased its position in shares of Unum Group by 300.0% during the 4th quarter. Barrett & Company Inc. now owns 396 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 297 shares during the last quarter. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Unum Group during the 3rd quarter valued at $31,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Unum Group during the 4th quarter valued at $38,000. Millstone Evans Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Unum Group during the 4th quarter valued at $45,000. Finally, Quarry LP increased its position in shares of Unum Group by 4,794.7% during the 3rd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 930 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $55,000 after purchasing an additional 911 shares during the last quarter. 86.57% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Unum Group

Unum Group, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial protection benefit solutions primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, and internationally. It operates through Unum US, Unum International, Colonial Life, and Closed Block segment. The company offers group long-term and short-term disability, group life, and accidental death and dismemberment products; supplemental and voluntary products, such as individual disability, voluntary benefits, and dental and vision products; and accident, sickness, disability, life, and cancer and critical illness products.