Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) Shares Sold by Boston Financial Mangement LLC

Boston Financial Mangement LLC lessened its stake in shares of Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) by 25.0% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 30,000 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 10,000 shares during the quarter. Boston Financial Mangement LLC’s holdings in Unum Group were worth $2,191,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of UNM. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. grew its holdings in Unum Group by 151.7% during the 3rd quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. now owns 509,702 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $30,297,000 after buying an additional 307,175 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Unum Group by 50.0% during the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 469,342 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $29,554,000 after purchasing an additional 156,380 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Unum Group by 5,844.0% during the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 101,048 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $6,006,000 after purchasing an additional 99,348 shares during the period. Algert Global LLC lifted its stake in shares of Unum Group by 69.5% during the 3rd quarter. Algert Global LLC now owns 236,264 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $14,044,000 after purchasing an additional 96,916 shares during the period. Finally, Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Unum Group during the 3rd quarter worth $5,021,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.57% of the company’s stock.

Unum Group Stock Down 0.3 %

NYSE:UNM opened at $74.75 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $13.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 0.80. Unum Group has a one year low of $48.38 and a one year high of $79.43. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $74.28 and a 200 day simple moving average of $66.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a current ratio of 0.29.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The financial services provider reported $2.03 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.14 by ($0.11). Unum Group had a return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 13.81%. Sell-side analysts predict that Unum Group will post 9.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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

Unum Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 14th. Investors of record on Friday, January 24th were paid a $0.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 24th. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.25%. Unum Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 17.74%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Unum Group news, EVP Timothy Gerald Arnold sold 10,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.92, for a total value of $769,200.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 54,827 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,217,292.84. This trade represents a 15.43 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Insiders own 0.93% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on UNM shares. StockNews.com raised Unum Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, February 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $79.00 price target (up from $74.00) on shares of Unum Group in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Barclays increased their price target on Unum Group from $76.00 to $85.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, January 6th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Unum Group from $91.00 to $96.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Unum Group from $81.00 to $91.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Unum Group has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $81.17.

Unum Group Company Profile

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.