Prudential plc (NYSE:PUK) Given Average Recommendation of “Buy” by Analysts

Shares of Prudential plc (NYSE:PUK) have received an average rating of “Buy” from the five analysts that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Five analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating.

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on PUK. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of Prudential in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Prudential from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, June 6th. Citigroup restated a “buy” rating on shares of Prudential in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. Morgan Stanley restated an “overweight” rating on shares of Prudential in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Prudential from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Prudential

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of PUK. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Prudential by 417.0% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,856 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 1,497 shares during the last quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Prudential in the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Advisors Preferred LLC bought a new stake in shares of Prudential in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. National Bank of Canada FI lifted its stake in shares of Prudential by 52.6% in the 4th quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 3,042 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $48,000 after acquiring an additional 1,049 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC lifted its stake in shares of Prudential by 70.4% in the 1st quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC now owns 2,759 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $59,000 after acquiring an additional 1,140 shares during the last quarter. 1.90% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Prudential Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE PUK opened at $23.81 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $31.00 billion, a PE ratio of 10.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.41 and a beta of 1.02. Prudential has a fifty-two week low of $14.39 and a fifty-two week high of $24.00. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $21.68 and a 200-day moving average of $18.94.

Prudential Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 28th were issued a $0.3258 dividend. This is a boost from Prudential’s previous dividend of $0.24. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 28th. Prudential’s dividend payout ratio is presently 28.02%.

Prudential Company Profile

Prudential plc, through its subsidiaries, provides life and health insurance, and asset management solutions to individuals in Asia and Africa. The company was founded in 1848 and is headquartered in Central, Hong Kong.