Lincoln National (NYSE:LNC) Reaches New 52-Week High – Time to Buy?

Shares of Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $46.71 and last traded at $46.4350, with a volume of 40379 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $46.21.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Mizuho assumed coverage on Lincoln National in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $52.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Lincoln National from $37.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Evercore ISI raised their target price on shares of Lincoln National from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Morgan Stanley restated an “overweight” rating on shares of Lincoln National in a report on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Lincoln National to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $46.67.

Lincoln National Price Performance

The firm has a market cap of $8.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 4.18, a PEG ratio of 0.46 and a beta of 1.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 0.28 and a quick ratio of 0.28. The company’s 50-day moving average is $41.38 and its two-hundred day moving average is $39.02.

Lincoln National (NYSE:LNC) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The financial services provider reported $2.04 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.84 by $0.20. The company had revenue of $4.56 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.80 billion. Lincoln National had a net margin of 11.49% and a return on equity of 18.77%. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.06 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Lincoln National Corporation will post 7.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Lincoln National Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, January 12th will be paid a $0.45 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 12th. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.9%. Lincoln National’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 16.16%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP John Christopher Kennedy sold 3,519 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.15, for a total transaction of $155,363.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 118,985 shares in the company, valued at $5,253,187.75. This represents a 2.87% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Owen Ryan bought 2,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was bought at an average price of $42.17 per share, for a total transaction of $84,340.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 12,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $506,040. This represents a 20.00% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. 0.54% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Lincoln National

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. FNY Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new position in Lincoln National in the 3rd quarter worth about $48,000. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Lincoln National in the third quarter valued at approximately $14,354,000. IFP Advisors Inc increased its stake in shares of Lincoln National by 74.3% in the third quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 4,890 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $197,000 after buying an additional 2,085 shares during the period. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd bought a new position in Lincoln National in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $317,000. Finally, Steadtrust LLC acquired a new stake in Lincoln National during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $625,000. Institutional investors own 72.81% of the company’s stock.

Lincoln National Company Profile

Lincoln National Corporation, doing business as Lincoln Financial Group, is a diversified financial services holding company focused on providing retirement, insurance, and wealth management solutions in the United States and select international markets. Headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, the company operates through several business segments, including Retirement Plan Services, Life Insurance, and Group Protection. Its offerings are designed to help individuals, families, and institutions plan and prepare for their financial futures.

The Retirement Plan Services segment delivers recordkeeping, administrative services, and investment management for defined contribution and defined benefit plans.