Aegon (NYSE:AEG) Sees Unusually-High Trading Volume – What’s Next?

Aegon Ltd. (NYSE:AEG) shares saw unusually-high trading volume on Monday . Approximately 8,874,641 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 68% from the previous session’s volume of 5,267,637 shares.The stock last traded at $7.02 and had previously closed at $6.91.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

AEG has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. BNP Paribas raised shares of Aegon from a “hold” rating to an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Aegon from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane upgraded shares of Aegon from a “neutral” rating to an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th.

Aegon Stock Up 1.6%

The company has a market cap of $15.48 billion, a PE ratio of 7.31 and a beta of 0.91. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $6.40 and its 200-day moving average is $6.33.

Aegon Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 7th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 17th will be given a dividend of $0.1992 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, June 17th. This represents a dividend yield of 5.3%. This is a positive change from Aegon’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.17. Aegon’s dividend payout ratio is presently 34.38%.

Aegon declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback program on Friday, May 16th that authorizes the company to repurchase 0 outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the financial services provider to repurchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are generally an indication that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Aegon

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AEG. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in Aegon in the 4th quarter valued at $15,397,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its holdings in shares of Aegon by 517.6% during the fourth quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 1,220,786 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $7,190,000 after buying an additional 1,023,116 shares during the last quarter. OLD Mission Capital LLC raised its stake in Aegon by 450.5% in the 4th quarter. OLD Mission Capital LLC now owns 1,028,750 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $6,059,000 after acquiring an additional 841,863 shares during the last quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC purchased a new position in Aegon in the 4th quarter worth $4,733,000. Finally, Northern Trust Corp lifted its position in Aegon by 91.7% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 1,419,940 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $8,363,000 after acquiring an additional 679,126 shares during the period. 4.32% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Aegon Company Profile

Aegon Ltd. provides insurance, pensions, retirement, and asset management services in the United States, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company offers life, accident, property and casualty, and health insurance; annuities, retirement plans, mutual funds, and stable value solutions; residential mortgage and digital baking services; and retail and institutional investment management solutions and retirement savings vehicles and strategies.