12,247 Shares in United Community Banks, Inc. $UCB Purchased by Inspire Investing LLC

Key Points

• Inspire Investing LLC made a new investment of $345,000 in United Community Banks, acquiring 12,247 shares in the first quarter.
• United Community Banks has recently increased its quarterly dividend to $0.25, marking a boost from the previous $0.24 and resulting in a 3.2% dividend yield.
• Analysts have raised their price targets for United Community Banks, with a consensus average price target of $34.57, reflecting a generally positive outlook on the stock.

Inspire Investing LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United Community Banks, Inc. (NASDAQ:UCB - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 12,247 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $345,000.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in shares of United Community Banks during the first quarter valued at $26,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased a new stake in shares of United Community Banks during the fourth quarter valued at $42,000. Versant Capital Management Inc purchased a new stake in shares of United Community Banks during the first quarter valued at $37,000. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB purchased a new stake in shares of United Community Banks during the first quarter valued at $45,000. Finally, CWM LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Community Banks during the first quarter valued at $62,000. 82.29% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at United Community Banks

In other United Community Banks news, EVP Richard Bradshaw sold 1,616 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $30.94, for a total transaction of $49,999.04. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 78,395 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,425,541.30. This represents a 2.02% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.43% of the company's stock.

United Community Banks Stock Performance

Shares of UCB traded down $0.23 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $32.16. The company had a trading volume of 1,728,159 shares, compared to its average volume of 701,752. United Community Banks, Inc. has a 52-week low of $22.93 and a 52-week high of $35.38. 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 capitalization of $3.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.77 and a beta of 0.86. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $31.70 and a two-hundred day moving average of $29.41.

United Community Banks (NASDAQ:UCB - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 23rd. The company reported $0.66 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.61 by $0.05. United Community Banks had a return on equity of 8.64% and a net margin of 16.48%.The firm's revenue was up 6.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that United Community Banks, Inc. will post 2.52 earnings per share for the current year.

United Community Banks Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 3rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 15th will be given a dividend of $0.25 per share. This is an increase from United Community Banks's previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 15th. United Community Banks's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 45.45%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their target price on United Community Banks from $32.00 to $34.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a report on Monday, July 28th. Hovde Group increased their target price on United Community Banks from $35.00 to $36.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, July 24th. Raymond James Financial reissued a "market perform" rating on shares of United Community Banks in a report on Tuesday, July 8th. Finally, DA Davidson raised their price objective on United Community Banks from $34.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 24th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, United Community Banks currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $34.57.

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.