The Hanover Insurance Group (NYSE:THG) Given New $245.00 Price Target at Royal Bank Of Canada

The Hanover Insurance Group (NYSE:THG) had its price target hoisted by Royal Bank Of Canada from $235.00 to $245.00 in a research report released on Friday,Benzinga reports. Royal Bank Of Canada currently has a sector perform rating on the insurance provider’s stock.

THG has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Oppenheimer reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $260.00 target price on shares of The Hanover Insurance Group in a research report on Tuesday, October 13th. Piper Sandler cut shares of The Hanover Insurance Group from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $220.00 price target for the company. in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. Citizens Jmp increased their price objective on shares of The Hanover Insurance Group from $240.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a “market outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday. Zacks Research raised shares of The Hanover Insurance Group from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price objective on shares of The Hanover Insurance Group from $222.00 to $232.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research note on Friday, September 18th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $235.00.

The Hanover Insurance Group Price Performance

Shares of THG stock opened at $241.75 on Friday. The Hanover Insurance Group has a twelve month low of $166.54 and a twelve month high of $242.54. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $226.42 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $200.05. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.94 and a beta of 0.23.

The Hanover Insurance Group (NYSE:THG) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 28th. The insurance provider reported $5.15 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.62 by $0.53. The firm had revenue of $1.74 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.81 billion. The Hanover Insurance Group had a return on equity of 21.63% and a net margin of 10.97%. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $5.09 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that The Hanover Insurance Group will post 20.35 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The Hanover Insurance Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 25th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 11th were given a dividend of $0.95 per share. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, September 11th. The Hanover Insurance Group’s dividend payout ratio is presently 18.14%.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Dennis Kerrigan sold 2,104 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $222.41, for a total value of $467,950.64. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 12,003 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,669,587.23. This trade represents a 14.91% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Jane D. Carlin sold 1,000 shares of The Hanover Insurance Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $231.50, for a total transaction of $231,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 2,270 shares in the company, valued at approximately $525,505. The trade was a 30.58% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 9,655 shares of company stock valued at $2,145,846. Insiders own 2.80% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On The Hanover Insurance Group

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new stake in The Hanover Insurance Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $756,471,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new position in The Hanover Insurance Group during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $69,481,000. Bank of America Corp DE acquired a new position in The Hanover Insurance Group during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $47,734,000. Primecap Management Co. CA purchased a new position in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group in the second quarter worth $37,844,000. Finally, William Blair Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group during the second quarter worth $33,034,000. 86.61% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key The Hanover Insurance Group News

Here are the key news stories impacting The Hanover Insurance Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Third-quarter adjusted earnings were $5.15 per share, exceeding consensus estimates of $4.62, while earnings also improved from $5.09 in the year-ago quarter. The earnings beat supports confidence in THG’s profitability and helped reinforce recent stock momentum. Hanover Insurance Group Q3 Earnings and Revenues Surpass Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Management expects the full-year combined ratio to clearly outperform its original guidance, indicating stronger-than-anticipated underwriting performance. Although the company anticipates a 5.2% catastrophe load in the fourth quarter, the improved full-year outlook is a favorable signal for investors. Hanover Outlines Q4 Catastrophe Load and Full-Year Combined Ratio Outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Citizens JMP raised its price target from $240 to $250 and assigned a “market outperform” rating, implying additional upside from the stock’s current level. Citizens JMP THG Recommendation
• Positive Sentiment: RBC increased its target from $235 to $245 while maintaining a “sector perform” rating, reflecting a modestly higher valuation view despite a neutral stance. Royal Bank of Canada THG Recommendation
• Neutral Sentiment: Revenue of $1.74 billion fell short of the $1.81 billion analyst estimate, and reported profit declined according to some coverage, tempering the otherwise strong earnings reaction. The Hanover Insurance Group Reports Sales Below Estimates
• Negative Sentiment: Morgan Stanley raised its price target from $230 to $235 but retained an “equal weight” rating; the revised target remains below the current share price, signaling limited near-term upside in its view. Morgan Stanley THG Recommendation

The Hanover Insurance Group Company Profile

The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc is a holding company that provides property and casualty insurance products and services through a network of independent agents. Its principal operating subsidiary is The Hanover Insurance Company, which traces its roots to 1852 and is headquartered in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The company offers personal insurance products such as automobile, homeowners, condominium, renters and umbrella coverage. Its commercial insurance business serves small and midsize businesses with products that include commercial property, general liability, commercial automobile, workers’ compensation and other specialized coverages.

The Hanover also provides specialty insurance solutions for select industries and risks, including professional liability, management liability, marine and other niche commercial exposures.