Roxbury Financial LLC Invests in Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU)

Roxbury Financial LLC has recently acquired a new stake in Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU), according to the latest filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the fourth quarter, the institutional investor purchased 15,180 shares of the financial services company, totaling approximately $1,965,000. This investment constitutes about 1.9% of Roxbury Financial LLC's overall portfolio, positioning Prudential as the 14th largest holding within its investments.

A number of other institutional investors have also adjusted their positions in Prudential Financial in recent months. For instance, ABC Arbitrage SA established a new stake worth $1,192,000 during the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Vicus Capital increased its holdings by 2.5%, bringing its total to 8,936 shares valued at approximately $1,059,000 after acquiring an additional 216 shares. V Square Quantitative Management LLC raised its stake by 5.0%, now owning 9,898 shares worth $1,173,000 following the purchase of 467 more shares. Palacios Wealth Management LLC and Values Added Financial LLC also obtained new positions in Prudential Financial during the same quarter, with values around $335,000 and $226,000, respectively. Collectively, institutional investors and hedge funds hold 56.83% of Prudential Financial's stock.

Stock Performance Overview

As of Friday, the stock opened at $111.54. Prudential Financial has experienced a low of $104.44 and a high of $130.55 over the past twelve months. The company's quick ratio stands at 0.14, with a current ratio of 0.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The 50-day moving average price of the stock is $118.17, while the 200-day moving average sits at $119.95. Prudential Financial boasts a market capitalization of $39.71 billion, with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 14.93, a P/E growth (P/E/G) ratio of 1.00, and a beta value of 1.31.

Latest Earnings Results

Prudential Financial most recently reported its earnings results on February 4th. The firm announced earnings per share of $2.96 for the quarter, which fell short of analysts' expectations of $3.36 by $0.40. The company recorded a net margin of 4.01% and a return on equity of 15.86%. Analysts predict that Prudential Financial, Inc. will achieve an earnings per share (EPS) of 14.38 for the current fiscal year.

Dividend Announcement

Additionally, Prudential Financial has declared a quarterly dividend that is set to be paid on March 13th. Shareholders on record as of February 18th will receive a dividend of $1.35 per share, resulting in an annualized dividend rate of $5.40 and a yield of 4.84%. This marks an increase from the previous quarterly dividend of $1.30. The ex-dividend date is also February 18th, and Prudential Financial's dividend payout ratio is currently at 69.61%.

Insider Transactions

In a notable insider transaction, Insurance Co Of America Prudential, a major shareholder, bought 537,249 shares of the company's stock on November 25th at an average price of $27.92 per share, totaling nearly $15 million. This increase of 12.66% brings the insider's total ownership to 4,780,293 shares, valued at approximately $133 million. Presently, insiders own about 0.31% of the company's stock.

Analysts' Ratings Updates

Recent reports have provided various updates regarding Prudential Financial's stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods downgraded its target price from $129.00 to $125.00 and provided a "market perform" rating. BMO Capital Markets has issued an "underperform" rating with a target price of $101.00, while Evercore ISI upgraded its rating from "underperform" to "inline," increasing its price target from $117.00 to $140.00. Wells Fargo lowered its target from $117.00 to $115.00 and maintained an "equal weight" rating, whereas Barclays raised its target from $128.00 to $134.00 while keeping an "equal weight" rating. Overall, one analyst has rated the stock as a sell, ten as hold, one as buy, and another as strong buy, giving Prudential Financial an average rating of "Hold" with a price target average of $125.46.

Company Overview

Prudential Financial, Inc., through its various subsidiaries, offers insurance, investment management, and other financial products and services both in the U.S. and internationally. Its operations spread across several segments, including PGIM, Retirement Strategies, Group Insurance, Individual Life, and International Businesses.

Conclusion

The investment environment for Prudential Financial appears dynamic, with various institutional movements and updated analyst ratings reflecting the ongoing interest in the company. This situation invites further observation as Prudential Financial continues to navigate the financial markets.

Investment, Stock, Finance