Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. Boosts Stake in Assurant, Inc. (NYSE:AIZ)

Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. grew its stake in shares of Assurant, Inc. (NYSE:AIZ) by 484.7% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 39,615 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 32,840 shares during the quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V.’s holdings in Assurant were worth $67,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in AIZ. CWM LLC increased its position in Assurant by 6.8% during the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 976 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $164,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System grew its holdings in shares of Assurant by 0.5% during the fourth quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 14,573 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $2,455,000 after buying an additional 73 shares in the last quarter. Tectonic Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Assurant by 4.0% in the fourth quarter. Tectonic Advisors LLC now owns 2,197 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $370,000 after buying an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd lifted its stake in shares of Assurant by 104.6% during the third quarter. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd now owns 178 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 91 shares during the period. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust boosted its position in Assurant by 52.0% during the third quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 310 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $45,000 after acquiring an additional 106 shares during the last quarter. 92.65% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Assurant Stock Up 1.4 %

Shares of AIZ opened at $168.99 on Friday. Assurant, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $118.45 and a fifty-two week high of $189.48. The company’s fifty day moving average is $177.15 and its two-hundred day moving average is $172.33. The firm has a market cap of $8.79 billion, a PE ratio of 11.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 0.53. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42.

Assurant Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 24th. Investors of record on Monday, June 10th will be issued a $0.72 dividend. This represents a $2.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.70%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 10th. Assurant’s payout ratio is currently 20.10%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Assurant

In other news, insider Robert Lonergan sold 2,700 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $176.12, for a total value of $475,524.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 19,786 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,484,710.32. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Michael P. Campbell sold 1,304 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, May 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $173.35, for a total transaction of $226,048.40. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 24,586 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,261,983.10. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Robert Lonergan sold 2,700 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $176.12, for a total value of $475,524.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 19,786 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,484,710.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 12,788 shares of company stock valued at $2,248,489. Company insiders own 0.53% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have weighed in on AIZ. UBS Group increased their price target on Assurant from $191.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, February 12th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their target price on Assurant from $182.00 to $186.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 15th. Finally, Piper Sandler raised their price target on Assurant from $195.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, April 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $200.25.

Assurant Company Profile

Assurant, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides business services that supports, protects, and connects consumer purchases in North America, Latin America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates through two segments: Global Lifestyle and Global Housing. The Global Lifestyle segment offers mobile device solutions, and extended service contracts and related services for consumer electronics and appliances, and credit and other insurance products; and vehicle protection, commercial equipment, and other related services.