Prudential Public Limited Company (NYSE:PUK) Stock Rated “Moderate Buy” by Wall Street Brokerages

Prudential Public Limited Company (NYSE:PUK) has earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the seven analysts that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $39.30.

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Prudential Public from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, October 17th. Zacks Research raised shares of Prudential Public from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, September 21st. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Prudential Public in a research report on Friday, October 2nd. Finally, Berenberg Bank began coverage on Prudential Public in a research note on Thursday, September 3rd. They issued a “buy” rating and a $39.30 price objective on the stock.

Prudential Public Price Performance

NYSE:PUK opened at $24.69 on Wednesday. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $25.60 and its 200-day simple moving average is $28.56. Prudential Public has a 12-month low of $23.31 and a 12-month high of $34.03.

Prudential Public (NYSE:PUK) last released its earnings results on Friday, August 14th. The financial services provider reported $0.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $3.90 billion during the quarter. On average, analysts forecast that Prudential Public will post 2.31 earnings per share for the current year.

Prudential Public Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 22nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 11th were given a dividend of $0.1776 per share. This represents a yield of 133.0%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 11th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Prudential Public

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC acquired a new stake in Prudential Public during the second quarter worth about $26,000. Mather Group LLC. grew its position in shares of Prudential Public by 746.3% in the 3rd quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 4,037 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $100,000 after acquiring an additional 3,560 shares during the period. Strategic Investment Advisors MI bought a new position in Prudential Public during the 1st quarter worth $166,000. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. increased its stake in shares of Prudential Public by 179.5% in the 4th quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 5,612 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $175,000 after purchasing an additional 3,604 shares during the last quarter. Finally, PAX Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in Prudential Public during the 1st quarter worth about $219,000. 1.90% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Prudential Public

Prudential plc is a financial services group that provides life and health insurance, retirement solutions and related financial products. The company serves individual and institutional customers through offerings that can include protection, savings, investment-linked insurance and wellness services.

Prudential focuses primarily on markets in Asia and Africa, with operations and partnerships serving customers across a range of emerging and developed economies. Its asset-management business, Eastspring Investments, provides investment products and services to institutional and retail clients in selected markets.

Founded in London in 1848, Prudential has undergone significant strategic changes in recent years.