Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd Increases Stake in Aon plc $AON

Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd raised its holdings in shares of Aon plc (NYSE:AON) by 9.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 38,449 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 3,267 shares during the quarter. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd’s holdings in AON were worth $13,710,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Westside Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in AON by 100.0% during the 3rd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 70 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Watch Advisors INC bought a new stake in shares of AON in the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. Heartwood Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in AON during the third quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC bought a new stake in AON in the third quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Strive Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of AON in the 3rd quarter worth about $35,000. 86.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

AON Stock Down 0.3%

AON stock opened at $316.92 on Friday. Aon plc has a one year low of $304.59 and a one year high of $402.49. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $332.11 and its 200-day moving average price is $345.27. The firm has a market cap of $67.90 billion, a PE ratio of 18.62, a PEG ratio of 1.74 and a beta of 0.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 2.03 and a current ratio of 2.03.

AON (NYSE:AON) last posted its earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The financial services provider reported $4.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.75 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $4.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.38 billion. AON had a return on equity of 45.23% and a net margin of 21.51%.AON’s revenue was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $4.42 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Aon plc will post 17.21 EPS for the current year.

AON Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 13th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 2nd were paid a $0.745 dividend. This represents a $2.98 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 2nd. AON’s dividend payout ratio is currently 17.51%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, General Counsel Darren Zeidel sold 5,040 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $325.79, for a total value of $1,641,981.60. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel directly owned 20,254 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,598,550.66. This represents a 19.93% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Lester B. Knight acquired 4,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 10th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $319.24 per share, with a total value of $1,276,960.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 143,000 shares in the company, valued at $45,651,320. This trade represents a 2.88% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Company insiders own 1.10% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently weighed in on AON. Barclays lifted their target price on AON from $379.00 to $381.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on AON from $448.00 to $443.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Sunday, February 1st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on shares of AON from $410.00 to $416.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $408.00 target price on shares of AON in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Finally, Citigroup raised their price target on shares of AON from $402.00 to $412.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $408.94.

AON Profile

Aon plc is a global professional services firm that provides a broad suite of risk, retirement and health solutions to corporations, institutions and individuals. The company operates primarily as an insurance broker and risk adviser, helping clients identify, quantify and transfer risk across property, casualty, cyber and other areas. Aon also offers reinsurance brokerage and capital market solutions that connect insurers, reinsurers and corporate buyers.

In addition to traditional brokerage activities, Aon delivers consulting and outsourcing services in areas such as human capital, benefits, and retirement plan design and administration.