Two Sigma Advisers LP Cuts Stock Position in Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:UVE)

Two Sigma Advisers LP lowered its position in Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:UVE - Free Report) by 5.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 271,716 shares of the insurance provider's stock after selling 16,500 shares during the period. Two Sigma Advisers LP owned approximately 0.96% of Universal Insurance worth $5,722,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Insurance in the fourth quarter worth approximately $103,000. Quantbot Technologies LP grew its position in Universal Insurance by 45,981.8% in the 4th quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 5,069 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $107,000 after acquiring an additional 5,058 shares during the last quarter. Aquatic Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Insurance in the fourth quarter worth $121,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Universal Insurance by 56.7% in the fourth quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 5,758 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $121,000 after purchasing an additional 2,083 shares during the period. Finally, Victory Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Universal Insurance during the fourth quarter worth $240,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 66.61% of the company's stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Universal Insurance news, Director Jon Springer sold 26,393 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.61, for a total transaction of $675,924.73. Following the sale, the director now owns 331,835 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $8,498,294.35. This trade represents a 7.37% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Chairman Sean P. Downes sold 20,000 shares of Universal Insurance stock in a transaction on Friday, May 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.34, for a total value of $526,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now owns 951,667 shares in the company, valued at $25,066,908.78. This represents a 2.06% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 16.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Universal Insurance Trading Up 0.3%

Shares of Universal Insurance stock traded up $0.08 on Friday, hitting $27.00. 31,090 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 186,346. The company has a current ratio of 0.51, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The company has a market cap of $759.92 million, a PE ratio of 10.98 and a beta of 0.83. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $24.25 and its 200-day moving average price is $22.08. Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. has a 52 week low of $16.50 and a 52 week high of $27.10.

Universal Insurance (NYSE:UVE - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The insurance provider reported $1.44 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.12 by $0.32. Universal Insurance had a return on equity of 15.43% and a net margin of 4.82%. The business had revenue of $394.87 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $354.97 million. Equities research analysts predict that Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. will post 1.66 EPS for the current year.

Universal Insurance Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 9th were issued a dividend of $0.16 per share. This represents a $0.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.37%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 9th. Universal Insurance's payout ratio is 27.95%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Universal Insurance from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, April 28th.

Universal Insurance Company Profile

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated insurance holding company in the United States. It develops, markets, and underwrites insurance products for personal residential insurance, such as homeowners, renters/tenants, condo unit owners, and dwelling/fire; and offers allied lines, coverage for other structures, and personal property, liability, and personal articles coverages.