17,355 Shares in Aon plc (NYSE:AON) Purchased by Virtu Financial LLC

Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Aon plc (NYSE:AON) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 17,355 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $5,050,000. AON comprises about 0.4% of Virtu Financial LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 27th biggest position.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AON. BKM Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in AON during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in AON during the fourth quarter worth approximately $31,000. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of AON during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of AON during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Finally, First United Bank & Trust bought a new position in shares of AON during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $44,000. 86.14% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

AON Stock Performance

AON stock traded down $0.03 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $295.39. 860,487 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,473,949. The business has a fifty day moving average of $292.66 and a 200 day moving average of $304.67. The firm has a market cap of $64.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.15, a PEG ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 0.91. Aon plc has a 12-month low of $268.06 and a 12-month high of $347.37.

AON (NYSE:AON) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 26th. The financial services provider reported $5.66 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $5.86 by ($0.20). AON had a net margin of 19.04% and a negative return on equity of 1,083.00%. The business had revenue of $4.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.14 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $5.17 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that Aon plc will post 15.48 EPS for the current year.

AON Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 1st were issued a dividend of $0.675 per share. This represents a $2.70 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.91%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, April 30th. This is a positive change from AON’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.62. AON’s dividend payout ratio is currently 21.16%.

Insider Activity

In other AON news, Director Lester B. Knight acquired 10,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 3rd. The stock was purchased at an average price of $276.61 per share, for a total transaction of $2,766,100.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 139,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $38,448,790. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 1.15% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their target price on AON from $294.00 to $312.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on AON from $318.00 to $353.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, April 8th. Bank of America cut AON from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating and cut their target price for the company from $345.00 to $306.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 22nd. Citigroup started coverage on AON in a report on Wednesday, May 22nd. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $309.00 price target for the company. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on AON from $300.00 to $289.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 29th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $321.86.

AON Profile

Aon plc, a professional services firm, provides a range of risk and human capital solutions worldwide. It offers commercial risk solutions, including retail brokerage, specialty solutions, global risk consulting and captives management, and affinity programs; and health solutions, such as health and benefits brokerages, and health care exchanges.