GSA Capital Partners LLP Boosts Stake in Aon plc $AON

GSA Capital Partners LLP grew its stake in Aon plc (NYSE:AON) by 176.9% in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 8,007 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after buying an additional 5,115 shares during the period. AON makes up 0.2% of GSA Capital Partners LLP’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th largest position. GSA Capital Partners LLP’s holdings in AON were worth $2,826,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Westside Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of AON by 100.0% in the third quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 70 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 35 shares during the period. Wealth Watch Advisors INC acquired a new stake in shares of AON in the third quarter worth $25,000. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AON in the fourth quarter worth $30,000. Strive Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AON in the third quarter worth $35,000. Finally, Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AON in the third quarter worth $37,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.14% of the company’s stock.

AON Stock Up 2.9%

AON stock opened at $326.48 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $69.73 billion, a PE ratio of 17.92, a P/E/G ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.36, a quick ratio of 1.95 and a current ratio of 1.95. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $322.19 and its 200 day moving average is $335.20. Aon plc has a one year low of $304.59 and a one year high of $381.00.

AON (NYSE:AON) last released its quarterly earnings results on Saturday, May 2nd. The financial services provider reported $6.48 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.37 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $5.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.97 billion. AON had a net margin of 22.54% and a return on equity of 43.50%. The firm’s revenue was up 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $5.67 earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that Aon plc will post 19.07 EPS for the current year.

AON Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 1st were issued a dividend of $0.82 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 1st. This is a positive change from AON’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.75. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.0%. AON’s payout ratio is 16.36%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of AON in a research note on Tuesday, April 21st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price objective on shares of AON from $416.00 to $401.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 7th. Piper Sandler cut their price objective on shares of AON from $388.00 to $355.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, May 4th. Mizuho cut their price objective on shares of AON from $394.00 to $389.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, May 5th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald increased their price objective on shares of AON from $393.00 to $412.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AON currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $397.88.

AON Profile

Aon plc is a global professional services firm that provides a broad suite of risk, retirement and health solutions to corporations, institutions and individuals. The company operates primarily as an insurance broker and risk adviser, helping clients identify, quantify and transfer risk across property, casualty, cyber and other areas. Aon also offers reinsurance brokerage and capital market solutions that connect insurers, reinsurers and corporate buyers.

In addition to traditional brokerage activities, Aon delivers consulting and outsourcing services in areas such as human capital, benefits, and retirement plan design and administration.