Prudential Financial, Inc. $PRU Shares Sold by Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH

Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH lowered its stake in shares of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRUFree Report) by 3.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 259,151 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 8,706 shares during the quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH’s holdings in Prudential Financial were worth $29,315,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Summit Global Investments increased its holdings in shares of Prudential Financial by 71.1% in the 3rd quarter. Summit Global Investments now owns 13,021 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,351,000 after acquiring an additional 5,412 shares during the period. Machina Capital S.A.S. acquired a new position in shares of Prudential Financial in the 3rd quarter valued at $1,285,000. VCI Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Prudential Financial by 117.1% in the 4th quarter. VCI Wealth Management LLC now owns 19,292 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $2,178,000 after acquiring an additional 10,404 shares during the period. KBC Group NV increased its holdings in shares of Prudential Financial by 94.3% in the 4th quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 157,538 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $17,783,000 after acquiring an additional 76,461 shares during the period. Finally, Mattson Financial Services LLC increased its holdings in shares of Prudential Financial by 312.8% in the 3rd quarter. Mattson Financial Services LLC now owns 12,119 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,257,000 after acquiring an additional 9,183 shares during the period. 56.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

More Prudential Financial News

Here are the key news stories impacting Prudential Financial this week:

Insider Buying and Selling at Prudential Financial

In other news, Director Joseph J. Wolk bought 400 shares of Prudential Financial stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 11th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $105.32 per share, for a total transaction of $42,128.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 400 shares in the company, valued at approximately $42,128. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Thomas D. Stoddard bought 250 shares of Prudential Financial stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 17th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $102.97 per share, for a total transaction of $25,742.50. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 250 shares in the company, valued at $25,742.50. This represents a ∞ increase in their position. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last ninety days, insiders have bought 1,650 shares of company stock worth $168,841. Corporate insiders own 0.05% of the company’s stock.

Prudential Financial Price Performance

Prudential Financial stock opened at $94.38 on Friday. Prudential Financial, Inc. has a 52 week low of $91.89 and a 52 week high of $119.76. The company has a quick ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 0.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $97.73 and its 200 day simple moving average is $104.77. The firm has a market capitalization of $32.83 billion, a PE ratio of 9.44, a P/E/G ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.95.

Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRUGet Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 3rd. The financial services provider reported $3.30 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.37 by ($0.07). Prudential Financial had a return on equity of 16.32% and a net margin of 6.20%.The business had revenue of $14.52 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $14.48 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.96 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that Prudential Financial, Inc. will post 13.97 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Prudential Financial Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 12th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th were issued a $1.40 dividend. This is a positive change from Prudential Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.35. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 17th. This represents a $5.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.9%. Prudential Financial’s payout ratio is currently 56.00%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

PRU has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of Prudential Financial from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research report on Friday, March 13th. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded shares of Prudential Financial from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $124.00 to $98.00 in a research report on Wednesday. UBS Group cut their price objective on shares of Prudential Financial from $105.00 to $98.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 9th. BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on shares of Prudential Financial from $91.00 to $87.00 and set an “underperform” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Bank of America cut their price objective on shares of Prudential Financial from $112.00 to $104.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 14th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Prudential Financial currently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and an average price target of $101.75.

View Our Latest Report on PRU

About Prudential Financial

(Free Report)

Prudential Financial, Inc, headquartered in Newark, New Jersey, is a diversified financial services company with roots dating to 1875. The firm provides a range of insurance, retirement and investment products aimed at helping individual and institutional clients manage risk, accumulate and protect wealth, and plan for retirement. Prudential’s long history in life insurance and related financial services has positioned it as a major participant in the U.S. insurance market and a provider of services to a broad client base.

Prudential’s core business activities include individual life insurance, annuities, retirement solutions and group insurance products for employers.

Further Reading

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Institutional Ownership by Quarter for Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU)

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