Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) Short Interest Down 15.5% in January

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) saw a large decline in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,180,000 shares, a decline of 15.5% from the December 31st total of 2,580,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,310,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.7 days. Approximately 1.2% of the company’s stock are sold short.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have commented on UNM. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Unum Group from $76.00 to $85.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, January 6th. UBS Group upgraded shares of Unum Group to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $79.00 price target (up from $74.00) on shares of Unum Group in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on shares of Unum Group from $91.00 to $96.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, Bank of America increased their price target on shares of Unum Group from $54.00 to $63.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 10th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Unum Group presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $79.00.

Unum Group Trading Up 0.0 %

Shares of NYSE UNM traded up $0.04 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $76.29. 1,030,718 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,043,344. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a current ratio of 0.28, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $74.23 and its 200 day moving average price is $64.84. Unum Group has a 12 month low of $46.64 and a 12 month high of $77.69.

Unum Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 24th will be given a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.20%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 24th. Unum Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 18.18%.

Insider Activity at Unum Group

In related news, CAO Walter Lynn Rice, Jr. sold 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.56, for a total transaction of $104,340.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 8,361 shares in the company, valued at approximately $581,591.16. This represents a 15.21 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Timothy Gerald Arnold sold 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.92, for a total transaction of $769,200.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 54,827 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,217,292.84. This trade represents a 15.43 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 102,914 shares of company stock worth $7,677,945 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.93% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Unum Group

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of UNM. Barrett & Company Inc. grew 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 worth $29,000 after buying an additional 297 shares in the last quarter. Kestra Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Unum Group during the 4th quarter worth $38,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new position in shares of Unum Group during the 3rd quarter worth $31,000. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. bought a new position in shares of Unum Group during the 3rd quarter worth $37,000. Finally, V Square Quantitative Management LLC grew its position in shares of Unum Group by 38.2% during the 3rd quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 702 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 194 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.57% of the company’s stock.

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.