Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank Has $1.92 Million Holdings in Unum Group (NYSE:UNM)

Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank lifted its stake in Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) by 13.1% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 42,479 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after buying an additional 4,910 shares during the period. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank’s holdings in Unum Group were worth $1,921,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Silver Oak Securities Incorporated acquired a new position in shares of Unum Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Unum Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Bangor Savings Bank raised its holdings in shares of Unum Group by 100.0% in the 3rd quarter. Bangor Savings Bank now owns 664 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 332 shares in the last quarter. Neo Ivy Capital Management acquired a new position in shares of Unum Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $36,000. Finally, Arlington Trust Co LLC acquired a new position in shares of Unum Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $38,000. 86.57% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Unum Group Stock Up 0.3 %

NYSE UNM opened at $51.97 on Thursday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $51.17 and a 200-day moving average of $47.63. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 0.87. Unum Group has a 52 week low of $40.04 and a 52 week high of $54.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a current ratio of 0.27.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The financial services provider reported $1.79 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.86 by ($0.07). The firm had revenue of $3.15 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.14 billion. Unum Group had a net margin of 10.36% and a return on equity of 16.03%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.43 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Unum Group will post 8.18 EPS for the current year.

Unum Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 26th will be given a $0.365 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 25th. This represents a $1.46 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.81%. Unum Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 22.50%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on UNM shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Unum Group from $64.00 to $66.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, April 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Unum Group from $56.00 to $58.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 2nd. StockNews.com raised Unum Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Unum Group from $50.00 to $52.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, April 15th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on Unum Group from $47.00 to $52.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Unum Group presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $56.38.

Insider Transactions at Unum Group

In other news, CFO Steven Andrew Zabel sold 10,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.06, for a total value of $510,600.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 122,246 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,241,880.76. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Elizabeth Claire Ahmed sold 5,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $50.00, for a total value of $250,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 55,450 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,772,500. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO Steven Andrew Zabel sold 10,000 shares of Unum Group stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.06, for a total value of $510,600.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 122,246 shares in the company, valued at $6,241,880.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 81,000 shares of company stock worth $4,018,100 in the last three months. Insiders own 0.93% of the company’s stock.

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.