Metis Global Partners LLC Acquires 668 Shares of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU)

Metis Global Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU) by 2.7% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 25,583 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after buying an additional 668 shares during the quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC’s holdings in Prudential Financial were worth $3,032,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of PRU. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Prudential Financial by 0.6% during the third quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. now owns 15,775 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,910,000 after buying an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. Stephens Inc. AR grew its stake in shares of Prudential Financial by 5.6% during the third quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 102,648 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $12,431,000 after buying an additional 5,480 shares during the last quarter. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Prudential Financial by 2.4% in the third quarter. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC now owns 4,686 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $568,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares during the period. Capital Advisors Inc. OK purchased a new stake in shares of Prudential Financial in the third quarter valued at approximately $30,226,000. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Prudential Financial by 73.0% in the third quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 10,270 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,244,000 after purchasing an additional 4,333 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 56.83% of the company’s stock.

Prudential Financial Stock Performance

Shares of PRU opened at $115.07 on Friday. Prudential Financial, Inc. has a 12 month low of $104.44 and a 12 month high of $130.55. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $116.35 and a 200-day moving average price of $119.84. The company has a current ratio of 0.16, a quick ratio of 0.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The firm has a market cap of $41.20 billion, a PE ratio of 15.40, a P/E/G ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 1.31.

Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. The financial services provider reported $2.96 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.36 by ($0.40). Prudential Financial had a net margin of 4.01% and a return on equity of 15.86%. Equities research analysts predict that Prudential Financial, Inc. will post 14.36 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Prudential Financial Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 13th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be issued a dividend of $1.35 per share. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.69%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 18th. This is a positive change from Prudential Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.30. Prudential Financial’s dividend payout ratio is currently 72.29%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently issued reports on PRU shares. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on Prudential Financial from $149.00 to $152.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. Evercore ISI upgraded Prudential Financial from an “underperform” rating to an “inline” rating and boosted their price target for the company from $117.00 to $140.00 in a report on Thursday, November 14th. BMO Capital Markets started coverage on Prudential Financial in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. They issued an “underperform” rating and a $101.00 price target for the company. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Prudential Financial from $113.00 to $118.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 19th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price target on Prudential Financial from $128.00 to $134.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $126.15.

About Prudential Financial

Prudential Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance, investment management, and other financial products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through PGIM, Retirement Strategies, Group Insurance, Individual Life, and International Businesses segments.