River Road Asset Management LLC Has $48.25 Million Stake in CNA Financial Co. (NYSE:CNA)

River Road Asset Management LLC trimmed its position in CNA Financial Co. (NYSE:CNA) by 1.5% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 997,588 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after selling 14,904 shares during the quarter. River Road Asset Management LLC owned 0.37% of CNA Financial worth $48,253,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of CNA. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new position in shares of CNA Financial in the third quarter valued at $36,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its position in CNA Financial by 29.2% in the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,265 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $61,000 after acquiring an additional 286 shares during the period. Quent Capital LLC grew its position in CNA Financial by 28.3% in the fourth quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 1,475 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $71,000 after acquiring an additional 325 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in CNA Financial by 16.7% in the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,051 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $99,000 after acquiring an additional 293 shares during the period. Finally, Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. bought a new stake in CNA Financial in the third quarter valued at $146,000. 98.45% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

CNA Financial Price Performance

Shares of CNA stock opened at $48.04 on Tuesday. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $48.55 and its 200-day moving average is $49.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a current ratio of 0.28. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.01 billion, a PE ratio of 13.65, a PEG ratio of 9.23 and a beta of 0.68. CNA Financial Co. has a 52 week low of $42.33 and a 52 week high of $52.36.

CNA Financial (NYSE:CNA) last announced its earnings results on Monday, February 10th. The insurance provider reported $1.25 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.11 by $0.14. CNA Financial had a return on equity of 12.90% and a net margin of 6.72%. Equities research analysts expect that CNA Financial Co. will post 4.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

CNA Financial Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 13th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 24th will be issued a dividend of $0.46 per share. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.83%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 24th. This is a boost from CNA Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.44. CNA Financial’s dividend payout ratio is presently 52.27%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have weighed in on CNA shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price target on CNA Financial from $54.00 to $53.00 and set a “market perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. StockNews.com cut CNA Financial from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 11th.

About CNA Financial

CNA Financial Corporation provides commercial property and casualty insurance products in the United States and internationally. It operates through Specialty, Commercial, International, Life & Group, and Corporate & Other segments. The company offers professional liability coverages and risk management services to various professional firms, including architects, real estate agents, and accounting and law firms; directors and officers, employment practices, fiduciary, and fidelity and cyber coverages to small and mid-size firms, public and privately held firms, and not-for-profit organizations; professional and general liability, as well as associated casualty coverages for healthcare industry; surety and fidelity bonds; and warranty and alternative risks products.