Lincoln National (NYSE:LNC) Stock Price Up 7.2% on Strong Earnings

Lincoln National Co. (NYSE:LNC) shares shot up 7.2% during trading on Thursday following a stronger than expected earnings report. The stock traded as high as $35.30 and last traded at $36.21. 180,852 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 87% from the average session volume of 1,358,067 shares. The stock had previously closed at $33.77.

The financial services provider reported $1.91 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.87 by $0.04. Lincoln National had a return on equity of 18.15% and a net margin of 2.51%.

Lincoln National Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, February 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 10th were paid a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.02%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 10th. Lincoln National’s dividend payout ratio is presently 128.57%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Lincoln National from $29.00 to $28.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. TD Cowen increased their target price on Lincoln National from $34.00 to $37.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 27th. Barclays decreased their price objective on Lincoln National from $38.00 to $36.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Lincoln National from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Lincoln National currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $33.40.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Lincoln National

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of LNC. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Lincoln National during the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its stake in Lincoln National by 93.2% during the fourth quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 27,244 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $864,000 after purchasing an additional 13,141 shares during the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Lincoln National by 112.5% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 3,912 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $123,000 after purchasing an additional 2,071 shares in the last quarter. Versor Investments LP increased its stake in shares of Lincoln National by 190.9% in the 4th quarter. Versor Investments LP now owns 23,900 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $758,000 after purchasing an additional 15,684 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Proficio Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Lincoln National during the 4th quarter worth $1,050,000. Institutional investors own 72.81% of the company’s stock.

Lincoln National Trading Up 6.2 %

The company has a current ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $32.90 and a two-hundred day moving average of $32.43. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.58, a P/E/G ratio of 0.27 and a beta of 1.79.

Lincoln National Company Profile

Lincoln National Corporation, through its subsidiaries, operates multiple insurance and retirement businesses in the United States. It operates in four segments: Life Insurance, Annuities, Group Protection, and Retirement Plan Services. The Life Insurance segment provides life insurance products, including term insurance, universal life insurance (UL), indexed universal life insurance, variable universal life insurance (VUL), linked-benefit UL and VUL products, and critical illness and long-term care riders.