The Hanover Insurance Group (NYSE:THG) Reaches New 12-Month High – Still a Buy?

The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE:THG)’s stock price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $173.58 and last traded at $172.77, with a volume of 6107 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $172.54.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of The Hanover Insurance Group from $165.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on The Hanover Insurance Group from $176.00 to $179.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Monday, February 10th. Barclays upgraded The Hanover Insurance Group to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on The Hanover Insurance Group from $161.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 19th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $175.25.

The Hanover Insurance Group Trading Down 0.1 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a quick ratio of 0.40 and a current ratio of 0.40. The firm has a market cap of $6.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.74 and a beta of 0.65. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $162.10 and a 200 day simple moving average of $156.48.

The Hanover Insurance Group (NYSE:THG) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. The insurance provider reported $5.32 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.45 by $1.87. The Hanover Insurance Group had a net margin of 6.83% and a return on equity of 18.01%. On average, equities research analysts predict that The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. will post 14.37 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The Hanover Insurance Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be issued a $0.90 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 14th. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.09%. The Hanover Insurance Group’s payout ratio is currently 30.80%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On The Hanover Insurance Group

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new stake in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group during the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new stake in The Hanover Insurance Group in the third quarter valued at approximately $30,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in The Hanover Insurance Group by 91.9% during the fourth quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 213 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares during the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in The Hanover Insurance Group by 49.5% in the 4th quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 272 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 90 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Eagle Bay Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group by 502.1% in the 4th quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC now owns 283 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 236 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.61% of the company’s stock.

The Hanover Insurance Group Company Profile

The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides various property and casualty insurance products and services in the United States. The company operates through four segments: Core Commercial, Specialty, Personal Lines, and Other. The Commercial Lines segment offers commercial multiple peril, commercial automobile, workers' compensation, and other commercial lines coverage.