AON (NYSE:AON) Upgraded to “Hold” at Wall Street Zen

Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of AON (NYSE:AON) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Saturday morning.

Several other research analysts also recently issued reports on AON. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an “overweight” rating on shares of AON in a report on Tuesday, August 18th. Barclays boosted their price target on AON from $372.00 to $382.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on AON from $380.00 to $410.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 19th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their target price on AON from $400.00 to $412.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of AON from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 19th. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $412.62.

AON Stock Up 1.8%

Shares of AON stock opened at $355.94 on Friday. AON has a 12 month low of $304.59 and a 12 month high of $382.34. The company has a quick ratio of 1.54, a current ratio of 1.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34. The firm has a market cap of $75.50 billion, a PE ratio of 19.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 0.69. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $353.13 and a 200-day moving average of $333.77.

AON (NYSE:AON) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 29th. The financial services provider reported $3.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.80 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $4.25 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.28 billion. AON had a net margin of 22.27% and a return on equity of 42.13%. AON’s quarterly revenue was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $3.49 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that AON will post 19.06 EPS for the current year.

AON Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 14th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 3rd were paid a $0.82 dividend. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 3rd. AON’s dividend payout ratio is currently 18.08%.

Insider Activity

In related news, General Counsel Darren Zeidel sold 1,950 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $372.05, for a total transaction of $725,497.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel owned 13,404 shares in the company, valued at $4,986,958.20. This trade represents a 12.70% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 4,450 shares of company stock valued at $1,659,242. Corporate insiders own 1.00% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Wealth Watch Advisors INC bought a new stake in shares of AON in the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. acquired a new position in AON in the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. bought a new stake in AON during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Strive Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AON during the third quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC bought a new position in shares of AON in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $37,000. 86.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AON Company 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.