Viking Fund Management LLC Makes New $5.11 Million Investment in Unum Group (NYSE:UNM)

Viking Fund Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 70,000 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $5,112,000.

Several other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. MBM Wealth Consultants LLC increased its position in shares of Unum Group by 3.9% during the 4th quarter. MBM Wealth Consultants LLC now owns 5,594 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $408,000 after purchasing an additional 209 shares during the last quarter. Atomi Financial Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Unum Group by 20.5% during the fourth quarter. Atomi Financial Group Inc. now owns 4,525 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $330,000 after acquiring an additional 770 shares in the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its holdings in Unum Group by 8.5% during the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 4,084 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $298,000 after purchasing an additional 319 shares in the last quarter. Polianta Ltd bought a new position in shares of Unum Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,241,000. Finally, HB Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Unum Group by 56.7% in the 4th quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,928 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $433,000 after purchasing an additional 2,146 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 86.57% of the company’s stock.

Unum Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UNM opened at $75.41 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 0.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.77 billion, a PE ratio of 8.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 0.81. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $73.69 and its 200-day moving average price is $63.14. Unum Group has a twelve month low of $46.16 and a twelve month high of $77.63.

Unum Group (NYSE:UNM) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The financial services provider reported $2.13 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.10 by $0.03. Unum Group had a net margin of 13.76% and a return on equity of 15.21%. The business had revenue of $3.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.26 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.94 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 4.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Unum Group will post 8.54 EPS for the current year.

Unum Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 24th will be issued a dividend of $0.42 per share. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.23%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 24th. Unum Group’s dividend payout ratio is presently 18.18%.

Insider Transactions at Unum Group

In other Unum Group news, CAO Walter Lynn Rice, Jr. sold 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.56, for a total value of $104,340.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 8,361 shares in the company, valued at approximately $581,591.16. This represents a 15.21 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Elizabeth Claire Ahmed sold 5,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.16, for a total value of $320,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 58,741 shares in the company, valued at $3,768,822.56. The trade was a 7.84 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 107,914 shares of company stock valued at $7,998,745 over the last quarter. 0.93% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UNM has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $79.00 price target (up previously from $74.00) on shares of Unum Group in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Bank of America boosted their price objective on Unum Group from $54.00 to $63.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 10th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Unum Group from $74.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 14th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of Unum Group from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, Barclays upped their target price on shares of Unum Group from $76.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $75.45.

Unum Group Company Profile

Unum Group, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial protection benefit solutions primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, and internationally. It operates through Unum US, Unum International, Colonial Life, and Closed Block segment. The company offers group long-term and short-term disability, group life, and accidental death and dismemberment products; supplemental and voluntary products, such as individual disability, voluntary benefits, and dental and vision products; and accident, sickness, disability, life, and cancer and critical illness products.