United Community Banks, Inc. (NASDAQ:UCB) Shares Bought by Natixis Advisors LLC

Natixis Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of United Community Banks, Inc. (NASDAQ:UCB - Free Report) by 55.8% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 24,010 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 8,603 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors LLC's holdings in United Community Banks were worth $675,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Versant Capital Management Inc purchased a new stake in United Community Banks during the first quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased a new stake in United Community Banks during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $42,000. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB purchased a new stake in United Community Banks during the first quarter valued at approximately $45,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC purchased a new stake in United Community Banks during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $59,000. Finally, CWM LLC purchased a new stake in United Community Banks during the first quarter valued at approximately $62,000. 82.29% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In other United Community Banks news, EVP Richard Bradshaw sold 1,616 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, July 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $30.94, for a total value of $49,999.04. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 78,395 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,425,541.30. This trade represents a 2.02% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.43% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UCB has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Stephens restated an "overweight" rating and set a $36.00 price objective on shares of United Community Banks in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Raymond James Financial reissued a "market perform" rating on shares of United Community Banks in a research report on Tuesday, July 8th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price objective on shares of United Community Banks from $32.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research report on Monday, July 28th. DA Davidson increased their price objective on shares of United Community Banks from $34.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 24th. Finally, Hovde Group increased their price objective on shares of United Community Banks from $35.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 24th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, United Community Banks has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $34.57.

United Community Banks Price Performance

UCB traded up $1.32 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $30.93. 465,817 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 724,457. The company has a current ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The company has a market capitalization of $3.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.16 and a beta of 0.83. United Community Banks, Inc. has a 52-week low of $22.93 and a 52-week high of $35.38. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $30.17 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $29.48.

United Community Banks (NASDAQ:UCB - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 23rd. The company reported $0.66 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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, equities analysts forecast that United Community Banks, Inc. will post 2.52 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Community Banks Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 3rd. Shareholders of record on Sunday, June 15th were paid a $0.24 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 13th. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.1%. United Community Banks's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 43.64%.

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.