Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU) Stock Rating Cut to “Hold” at Wall Street Zen

Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Monday morning,Wall Street Zen reports.

Other research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Prudential Financial from $103.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 19th. Argus cut shares of Prudential Financial from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 9th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Prudential Financial from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Thursday, July 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Prudential Financial from $129.00 to $131.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, August 17th. Finally, Zacks Research raised Prudential Financial from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, June 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and five have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and a consensus target price of $109.31.

Prudential Financial Price Performance

NYSE:PRU opened at $115.92 on Monday. Prudential Financial has a one year low of $91.89 and a one year high of $127.72. The stock has a market cap of $39.99 billion, a PE ratio of 10.50, a P/E/G ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 0.16 and a current ratio of 0.16. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $120.55 and a 200 day moving average price of $108.92.

Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 4th. The financial services provider reported $4.08 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.52 by $0.56. The company had revenue of $14.15 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.36 billion. Prudential Financial had a return on equity of 16.68% and a net margin of 6.51%.During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.58 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Prudential Financial will post 14.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Prudential Financial Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 10th. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 25th were issued a dividend of $1.40 per share. This represents a $5.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.8%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, August 25th. Prudential Financial’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 50.72%.

Insider Activity

In other Prudential Financial news, EVP Ann Kappler sold 7,652 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $125.01, for a total transaction of $956,576.52. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 14,407 shares in the company, valued at $1,801,019.07. This represents a 34.69% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Insurance Co Of Ame Prudential sold 214,746 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.75, for a total transaction of $5,314,963.50. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 7,973,657 shares in the company, valued at $197,348,010.75. This represents a 2.62% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 0.05% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Prudential Financial

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Orca Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Prudential Financial during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,605,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its stake in Prudential Financial by 21.3% in the second quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 58,436 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $6,325,000 after buying an additional 10,257 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. lifted its stake in Prudential Financial by 379.8% in the second quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 619,701 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $66,884,000 after buying an additional 490,553 shares during the last quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH boosted its holdings in shares of Prudential Financial by 32.4% in the second quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 28,105 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $3,033,000 after acquiring an additional 6,877 shares during the period. Finally, Wedge Capital Management L L P NC grew its position in shares of Prudential Financial by 8.7% during the second quarter. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC now owns 325,257 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $35,105,000 after acquiring an additional 26,120 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 56.83% of the company’s stock.

Prudential Financial News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Prudential Financial this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Prudential’s value-investor profile remains a potential support for the stock. Recent Zacks comparisons highlight PRU alongside Zurich Insurance Group and focus on valuation, earnings estimates, and revisions—factors that may appeal to investors seeking an attractively priced insurer. Should Value Investors Buy Prudential Financial Stock?
• Positive Sentiment: Prudential Uganda reported stronger adviser-force development and growth in membership of the Million Dollar Round Table, suggesting continued progress in the subsidiary’s distribution capabilities. The effect on Prudential Financial’s consolidated results is likely limited. Prudential Uganda Strengthens Adviser Force
• Neutral Sentiment: Articles comparing PRU with Zurich Insurance Group present a relative-value analysis rather than a new company-specific development. Prudential’s appeal is supported by its low earnings multiple and recent earnings beat, but investors are weighing those positives against growth and valuation differences with Zurich. PRU Versus ZURVY Value Comparison
• Neutral Sentiment: Aon’s launch of a power-project insurance program is unrelated to Prudential Financial and does not appear to affect PRU’s investment outlook. Aon Broadens Energy Risk Offerings
• Negative Sentiment: Wall Street Zen downgraded Prudential Financial (PRU) to “Hold,” reinforcing a cautious view and likely serving as the main immediate pressure on the shares. The downgrade suggests limited near-term upside after the stock’s advance toward its 52-week high, despite solid profitability and an earnings beat in the latest quarter. Prudential Financial Downgraded to Hold

About Prudential Financial

Prudential Financial, Inc is a global financial services company headquartered in Newark, New Jersey. Founded in 1875 as The Widows and Orphans Friendly Society, the company has grown from a life insurance provider into a diversified business offering insurance, retirement, investment management and related financial services.

Through its U.S. businesses, Prudential provides individual life insurance and annuities, workplace retirement plans, pension risk transfer solutions, group life and disability insurance, and other benefits and financial wellness products.