Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) Given New $102.00 Price Target at BMO Capital Markets

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) had its price target hoisted by BMO Capital Markets from $95.00 to $102.00 in a report published on Monday morning,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the financial services provider’s stock.

Several other brokerages have also recently commented on UNM. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Unum Group from $80.00 to $84.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their target price on shares of Unum Group from $90.00 to $103.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Unum Group from $76.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of Unum Group from $91.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, Piper Sandler upped their price target on shares of Unum Group from $82.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $84.83.

Unum Group Stock Down 1.2 %

Unum Group stock opened at $81.29 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.84 billion, a PE ratio of 8.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 0.80. Unum Group has a twelve month low of $48.38 and a twelve month high of $83.96. The company has a quick ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 0.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The company has a 50 day moving average of $74.93 and a 200-day moving average of $67.83.

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 return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 13.81%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Unum Group will post 9.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Unum Group declared that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Tuesday, February 18th that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the financial services provider to repurchase up to 7.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually an indication that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Unum Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 14th. Investors of record on Friday, January 24th were given a dividend of $0.42 per share. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.07%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 24th. Unum Group’s dividend payout ratio is 17.74%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Unum Group

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of UNM. Barrett & Company Inc. increased its position in Unum Group by 300.0% during the fourth quarter. Barrett & Company Inc. now owns 396 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 297 shares during the period. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new stake in Unum Group during the third quarter worth about $31,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Unum Group during the fourth quarter worth about $38,000. Millstone Evans Group LLC acquired a new stake in Unum Group during the fourth quarter worth about $45,000. Finally, Quarry LP grew its stake in Unum Group by 4,794.7% during the third quarter. Quarry LP now owns 930 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $55,000 after buying an additional 911 shares in the last quarter. 86.57% of the stock is owned by 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.