Brokerages Set Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) Target Price at $80.33

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) has been given a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the thirteen analysts that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $81.17.

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on UNM shares. Evercore ISI upgraded Unum Group from an “in-line” rating to an “outperform” rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $67.00 to $84.00 in a report on Thursday, November 14th. BMO Capital Markets started coverage on shares of Unum Group in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $91.00 price target on the stock. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Unum Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on shares of Unum Group from $91.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, Truist Financial upped their target price on shares of Unum Group from $70.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, November 1st.

Unum Group Trading Up 2.2 %

UNM opened at $76.43 on Wednesday. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $74.38 and its two-hundred day moving average is $67.26. The firm has a market cap of $13.96 billion, a PE ratio of 8.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 0.80. Unum Group has a twelve month low of $48.38 and a twelve month high of $79.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a current ratio of 0.29.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. The financial services provider reported $2.03 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.14 by ($0.11). Unum Group had a return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 13.81%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Unum Group will post 9.14 EPS for the current year.

Unum Group announced that its board has initiated a stock repurchase program on Tuesday, February 18th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the financial services provider to buy up to 7.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically a sign that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Unum Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 24th were issued a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.20%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 24th. Unum Group’s payout ratio is 17.74%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Unum Group by 1.0% in the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,500,508 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $326,950,000 after buying an additional 55,014 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its stake in Unum Group by 50.0% in the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 469,342 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $29,554,000 after acquiring an additional 156,380 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its stake in Unum Group by 44.1% in the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 16,495 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,205,000 after acquiring an additional 5,047 shares during the last quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans grew its position in shares of Unum Group by 89.5% in the 3rd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 111,831 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $6,647,000 after acquiring an additional 52,813 shares during the period. Finally, Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Unum Group during the 3rd quarter worth about $1,074,000. 86.57% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.