BNP Paribas Financial Markets Invests $794,000 in United Community Banks, Inc. (NASDAQ:UCB)

BNP Paribas Financial Markets bought a new position in United Community Banks, Inc. (NASDAQ:UCB - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 24,563 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $794,000.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. purchased a new stake in United Community Banks during the fourth quarter worth about $450,141,000. FMR LLC acquired a new position in United Community Banks during the fourth quarter worth about $310,166,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP acquired a new position in United Community Banks during the fourth quarter worth about $195,766,000. Capital Research Global Investors acquired a new position in United Community Banks during the fourth quarter worth about $148,763,000. Finally, Earnest Partners LLC acquired a new position in United Community Banks during the fourth quarter worth about $113,536,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.29% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Sally Pope Davis bought 1,800 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $28.19 per share, for a total transaction of $50,742.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 3,264 shares in the company, valued at $92,012.16. This trade represents a 122.95% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.43% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have issued reports on UCB. Stephens restated an "overweight" rating and set a $36.00 target price on shares of United Community Banks in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their target price on shares of United Community Banks from $35.00 to $32.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. DA Davidson cut their target price on shares of United Community Banks from $38.00 to $33.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Finally, Hovde Group upgraded shares of United Community Banks from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and cut their target price for the stock from $32.00 to $31.00 in a research report on Monday, April 7th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $33.14.

United Community Banks Trading Down 0.9%

Shares of NASDAQ:UCB traded down $0.27 during trading on Friday, reaching $28.34. The stock had a trading volume of 603,817 shares, compared to its average volume of 664,447. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $27.18 and a 200-day moving average price of $30.52. The company has a quick ratio of 0.78, a current ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The stock has a market cap of $3.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.89 and a beta of 0.75. United Community Banks, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $22.93 and a fifty-two week high of $35.38.

United Community Banks Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 3rd. Stockholders of record on Sunday, June 15th will be given a $0.24 dividend. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.39%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 13th. United Community Banks's dividend payout ratio is presently 45.50%.

United Community Banks Profile

United Community Banks, Inc operates as the financial holding company for United Community Bank that provides financial products and services to commercial, retail, government, education, energy, health care, and real estate sectors. It accepts various deposit products, including checking, savings, money market, and other deposit accounts.