Prudential Financial seems to have mixed performance as shares have soared by 13% YTD and 35.1% in a year, while insiders have sold off around US$13m, pointing to possible weakness. Hantz Financial Services and Atlas Capital Advisors show interest in PRU with investment positions valued at $9.23m and an undisclosed amount respectively. Launch of SimplyIncome and Momentum IUL are seen as innovative expanding PRU's product portfolio. In a strategic move, Prudential assumed pension obligations for 21,500 Shell U.S. retirees, totaling $4.9 billion. Company paid out dividends and even detailed a $2 billion share buyback plan. Potential cybersecurity concerns arise from a data breach impacting 2.5 million stakeholders. Despite some hits, Prudential's Q2 earnings missed estimates, although revenues beat expectations. The company's stronger performance is reflected in the shares and earned a relative strength rating benchmark of 80+. Commentators view PRU as a high-yielding dividend growth pick, and Wells Fargo has upgraded the stock. Launch of Prismic Life Re is another innovative move, yet the firm faces a challenge with a complicated break-up.
