Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) Sets New 1-Year High – Here’s Why

Shares of Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $95.18 and last traded at $94.9220, with a volume of 88199 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $92.80.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Unum Group from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 28th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Unum Group from $100.00 to $101.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Wolfe Research cut their target price on Unum Group from $102.00 to $100.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Unum Group from $101.00 to $98.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Unum Group from $117.00 to $123.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, July 10th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $99.42.

Unum Group Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of $15.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.23, a PEG ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 0.27. The company has a quick ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 0.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $89.53 and a 200-day moving average of $82.75.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 28th. The financial services provider reported $2.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $2.16. Unum Group had a net margin of 5.26% and a return on equity of 12.60%. The company had revenue of $3.39 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.90 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.92 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up .3% on a year-over-year basis. Unum Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.600-8.900 EPS. Research analysts predict that Unum Group will post 8.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Unum Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 24th were paid a $0.505 dividend. This is a boost from Unum Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 24th. This represents a $2.02 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. Unum Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 47.09%.

Unum Group announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share repurchase plan on Wednesday, August 26th that permits the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the financial services provider to purchase up to 7% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. SHP Wealth Management bought a new stake in Unum Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. MBM Wealth Consultants LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Unum Group in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Triumph Capital Management bought a new position in shares of Unum Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $31,000. Ancora Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Unum Group by 385.2% during the third quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 427 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 339 shares during the period. Finally, Nalls Sherbakoff Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Unum Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $39,000. 86.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Unum Group Company Profile

Unum Group (NYSE: UNM) is a leading provider of employee benefits in the United States and selected international markets, specializing in disability, life, accident and critical illness insurance. Through both fully insured and self-funded arrangements, the company offers group coverage designed to protect income and mitigate financial hardship for employees and their families. Its portfolio includes short-term and long-term disability plans, group life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) policies, as well as critical illness and hospital indemnity products.

In addition to its core product lines, Unum Group markets voluntary benefits under its Colonial Life brand, allowing employees to purchase supplemental insurance such as accident, cancer, and dental coverage directly through payroll deductions.