TD Cowen upgraded shares of Brown & Brown (NYSE:BRO – Free Report) to a strong-buy rating in a research note published on Monday,Zacks reports.
A number of other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised shares of Brown & Brown from an “underperform” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $77.00 target price on the stock in a report on Monday. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on Brown & Brown from $62.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 1st. UBS Group reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $73.00 target price (up from $65.00) on shares of Brown & Brown in a report on Wednesday, July 8th. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Brown & Brown in a report on Friday, June 26th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Brown & Brown from $80.00 to $83.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Brown & Brown has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $76.00.
Get Our Latest Report on Brown & Brown
Brown & Brown Stock Up 0.8%
Brown & Brown (NYSE:BRO – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 27th. The financial services provider reported $1.07 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.08 by ($0.01). Brown & Brown had a net margin of 17.75% and a return on equity of 13.17%. The business had revenue of $1.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.71 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.03 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 30.4% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts anticipate that Brown & Brown will post 4.49 EPS for the current year.
Brown & Brown Dividend Announcement
The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 19th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 12th were paid a $0.1650 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 12th. This represents a $0.66 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.0%. Brown & Brown’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 20.82%.
Institutional Investors Weigh In On Brown & Brown
A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Brown & Brown during the second quarter valued at $1,418,571,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Brown & Brown by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 15,608,720 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,017,847,000 after purchasing an additional 246,172 shares during the period. Deutsche Bank AG purchased a new position in Brown & Brown in the 2nd quarter worth about $266,941,000. Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in Brown & Brown by 45.2% in the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 3,623,179 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $236,268,000 after purchasing an additional 1,128,417 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased its stake in Brown & Brown by 5.1% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 3,569,784 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $232,786,000 after purchasing an additional 173,320 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 71.01% of the company’s stock.
Key Brown & Brown News
Here are the key news stories impacting Brown & Brown this week:
- Positive Sentiment: TD Cowen initiated coverage of Brown & Brown with a Buy rating, arguing the insurance broker could be positioned for an upward re-rating. The new bullish view is the clearest positive catalyst in the latest coverage. TD Cowen initiates coverage of Brown & Brown with buy
- Positive Sentiment: Citizens JMP lowered its price target to $75 from $78 but retained a Market Outperform rating, implying meaningful potential upside from the recent trading level. Brown & Brown given new $75 price target at Citizens JMP
- Neutral Sentiment: Wells Fargo reduced its price target to $68 from $69 and maintained an Equal Weight rating. The target remains above the recent price, but the cut indicates limited analyst conviction. Brown & Brown given new $68 price target at Wells Fargo
- Neutral Sentiment: Brown & Brown is expanding its talent pipeline by placing 16 graduates across six regional offices in a three-year professional insurance training program. The initiative supports longer-term growth but is unlikely to materially affect near-term earnings. Brown & Brown graduate training program
- Negative Sentiment: BofA cut its price target to $81 from $87 while keeping a Neutral rating, reflecting a more cautious view of valuation or near-term performance. BofA adjusts Brown & Brown price target
- Negative Sentiment: Recent commentary questions whether insurer payments and other items may be masking weakness in Brown & Brown’s core brokerage operations. That raises concerns about the durability of underlying business performance despite the company’s long-term insurance-sector positioning. Brown & Brown core business analysis
Brown & Brown Company Profile
Brown & Brown, Inc is an independent insurance brokerage, risk management and employee benefits firm headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida. The company helps businesses, public entities and individuals identify, manage and transfer risk through insurance placement, risk consulting and related services.
Its offerings include property and casualty insurance, employee benefits, personal insurance, surety products, risk management services and specialized insurance programs. Brown & Brown also operates wholesale brokerage businesses that provide coverage solutions and access to insurance markets for retail agents and brokers, including products designed for specialty and hard-to-place risks.
Founded in 1939 by J.
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