The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE:HIG) Shares Gap Down – Should You Sell?

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG) shares gapped down before the market opened on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $114.26, but opened at $105.98. The Hartford Financial Services Group shares last traded at $108.40, with a volume of 404,020 shares.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $113.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $122.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $134.00 to $130.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. Finally, Bank of America increased their price target on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $121.00 to $124.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, October 10th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $122.28.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a current ratio of 0.32. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $112.91 and a 200-day simple moving average of $113.42. The firm has a market cap of $32.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.17, a P/E/G ratio of 0.82 and a beta of 0.98.

The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE:HIG) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The insurance provider reported $2.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.68 by $0.26. The Hartford Financial Services Group had a return on equity of 20.35% and a net margin of 11.62%. Equities research analysts expect that The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. will post 10.06 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at The Hartford Financial Services Group

In other news, EVP Adin M. Tooker sold 6,865 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.04, for a total value of $803,479.60. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 25,820 shares in the company, valued at $3,021,972.80. The trade was a 21.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Company insiders own 1.60% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of The Hartford Financial Services Group

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. DT Investment Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group during the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. increased its holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 3,342.9% during the fourth quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 241 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 234 shares during the last quarter. Clean Yield Group purchased a new stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group during the third quarter worth about $33,000. Barrett & Company Inc. raised its position in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 46.5% in the fourth quarter. Barrett & Company Inc. now owns 293 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 93 shares during the period. Finally, BNP Paribas purchased a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group in the third quarter valued at about $35,000. 93.42% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About The Hartford Financial Services Group

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance and financial services to individual and business customers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. Its Commercial Lines segment offers insurance coverages, including workers' compensation, property, automobile, general and professional liability, package business, umbrella, fidelity and surety, marine, livestock, accident, health, and reinsurance through regional offices, branches, sales and policyholder service centers, independent retail agents and brokers, wholesale agents, and reinsurance brokers.