Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU) Receives Consensus Rating of “Reduce” from Brokerages

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU) has earned an average recommendation of “Reduce” from the sixteen ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Five analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $109.31.

PRU has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Zacks Research upgraded Prudential Financial from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, June 12th. Piper Sandler upped their price objective on Prudential Financial from $110.00 to $128.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Mizuho raised their target price on shares of Prudential Financial from $101.00 to $109.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on Prudential Financial from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, July 10th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Prudential Financial from $129.00 to $131.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, August 17th.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Ann M. Kappler sold 7,652 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.01, for a total value of $956,576.52. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 14,407 shares in the company, valued at $1,801,019.07. The trade was a 34.69% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Insurance Co Of Ame Prudential sold 214,746 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.75, for a total value of $5,314,963.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 7,973,657 shares in the company, valued at approximately $197,348,010.75. The trade was a 2.62% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.05% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Archer Investment Corp acquired a new position in Prudential Financial during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Basepoint Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Prudential Financial in the fourth quarter worth $30,000. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. lifted its holdings in Prudential Financial by 93.1% in the 1st quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 278 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 134 shares in the last quarter. Union Savings Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Prudential Financial during the 4th quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, Reflection Asset Management purchased a new stake in shares of Prudential Financial during the fourth quarter worth about $39,000. 56.83% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Prudential Financial News Summary

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

Prudential Financial Stock Down 3.0%

Shares of NYSE:PRU opened at $115.92 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 0.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. Prudential Financial has a 52-week low of $91.89 and a 52-week high of $127.72. The business has a fifty day moving average of $120.55 and a two-hundred day moving average of $108.92. The stock has a market cap of $39.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.50, a PEG ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 0.83.

Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The financial services provider reported $4.08 EPS 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 the consensus estimate of $14.36 billion. Prudential Financial had a net margin of 6.51% and a return on equity of 16.68%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $3.58 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that Prudential Financial will post 14.59 earnings per share for the current year.

Prudential Financial Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 25th were issued a $1.40 dividend. This represents a $5.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, August 25th. Prudential Financial’s dividend payout ratio is presently 50.72%.

Prudential Financial Company Profile

Prudential Financial, Inc (NYSE: PRU) is a global financial services company that provides insurance, retirement, investment management and related financial products. Founded in 1875 and headquartered in Newark, New Jersey, the company serves individual, institutional and workplace customers through businesses in the United States and selected international markets.

In the United States, Prudential offers life insurance, annuities, retirement plans and group insurance products, including coverage for employees and their families.