United Community Banks, Inc. (NYSE:UCB) Stock Has Average Target Price of $40.00

Key Points

• Analyst sentiment is bullish: Eight analysts collectively rate United Community Banks a “Buy,” with an average 12-month price target of $40.00. Recent firms raised targets to $42, while Zacks upgraded the stock to “Strong Buy.”
• Quarterly results met expectations: UCB reported earnings of $0.77 per share, matching consensus, on $291.9 million in revenue. Core annualized loan growth reached 10%, excluding Navitas and Peach State.
• Dividend increased: The quarterly dividend rose to $0.26 per share, or $1.04 annually, representing a 2.8% yield. Shares recently traded at $36.95, near their 12-month high of $37.34.

United Community Banks, Inc. (NYSE:UCB - Get Free Report) has been given a consensus recommendation of "Buy" by the eight ratings firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $40.00.

UCB has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. DA Davidson increased their price target on United Community Banks from $40.00 to $42.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 9th. Stephens lifted their price objective on shares of United Community Banks from $41.00 to $42.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday. TD Cowen raised shares of United Community Banks to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Thursday, July 16th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of United Community Banks from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, September 12th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of United Community Banks from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday.

United Community Banks Stock Performance

Shares of UCB stock opened at $36.95 on Friday. United Community Banks has a 12-month low of $28.65 and a 12-month high of $37.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.83. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.32 and a beta of 0.88. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $34.74 and a 200 day simple moving average of $34.42.

United Community Banks (NYSE:UCB - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 20th. The company reported $0.77 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.77. United Community Banks had a return on equity of 9.66% and a net margin of 9.06%. The firm had revenue of $291.90 million for the quarter. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that United Community Banks will post 3.01 EPS for the current year.

United Community Banks Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 5th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th were given a dividend of $0.26 per share. This is a positive change from United Community Banks's previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 15th. This represents a $1.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.8%. United Community Banks's payout ratio is presently 88.14%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Jefferson Harralson sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.41, for a total value of $885,250.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 37,433 shares in the company, valued at $1,325,502.53. This trade represents a 40.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Richard Bradshaw sold 1,424 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.09, for a total transaction of $49,968.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 83,228 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,920,470.52. This trade represents a 1.68% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 0.45% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Community Banks

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Allworth Financial LP increased its position in shares of United Community Banks by 10.1% during the 2nd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 3,256 shares of the company's stock valued at $114,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its stake in shares of United Community Banks by 13.2% in the 2nd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 2,894 shares of the company's stock worth $102,000 after buying an additional 338 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of United Community Banks by 1.0% in the second quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 55,543 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,949,000 after buying an additional 574 shares during the period. QRG Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of United Community Banks by 7.6% in the second quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 8,448 shares of the company's stock valued at $296,000 after buying an additional 596 shares during the period. Finally, HB Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of United Community Banks by 4.2% in the first quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 19,540 shares of the company's stock valued at $615,000 after buying an additional 779 shares during the period. 82.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

United Community Banks News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting United Community Banks this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Strong quarterly performance: United Community Banks reported third-quarter operating earnings of $0.77 per share, in line with consensus, while core annualized loan growth reached 10% excluding Navitas and Peach State. The results suggest continued underlying lending momentum. United Community Banks: 3 Key Takeaways for Long-Term Investors
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks upgraded UCB to Strong Buy: Zacks Research raised its rating from “Hold” to “Strong Buy,” citing growing optimism about the bank’s earnings prospects. The upgrade can attract momentum-oriented and quantitative investors. United Community Banks Upgraded to Strong Buy
• Positive Sentiment: Momentum remains favorable: UCB was also included in Zacks’ Strong Buy lists for new recommendations and income stocks. These additions reinforce the positive near-term trading narrative, although they are model-driven rather than fundamental announcements. Why United Community Banks Is a Great Momentum Choice
• Neutral Sentiment: Investor focus is turning to management’s outlook: The third-quarter earnings presentation and call transcript provide additional detail on loan growth, earnings trends and forward guidance. Future performance will depend on sustaining growth while managing credit quality and margins. United Community Banks 2026 Q3 Results Presentation

United Community Banks Company Profile

United Community Banks, Inc is a bank holding company headquartered in Blairsville, Georgia. Through its principal subsidiary, United Community Bank, the company provides banking and financial services to consumers, businesses and communities primarily across the Southeastern United States.

United Community Bank offers deposit accounts, consumer and commercial lending, residential mortgages, credit cards, online and mobile banking, treasury management and other financial services. Its lending activities include commercial real estate, business, construction, residential and consumer loans.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.